To the Class of 2016,

So it’s May, which means you’re almost done. Graduation is just around the corner. Caps and gowns are going to be delivered, if not already. Packages are going to be signed for. Classes are wrapping up and so are the festivities. Prom season is in session, and the days are just ticking by. Countdowns are dropping lower and lower. You might want it to speed up or you might want it to slow down, either way, it is working its way here. Although school is coming to an end, summer is just beginning. You’re saying goodbye to high school and hello to college, perhaps. But with college comes a few more goodbyes.

1. See ya, summer body

Ever hear of the Freshman 15? Yes, the body you worked hard on might flounder as those abs turn to flabs and your tan leaves you in the dust, both exaggerations in the very least. But gaining weight happens. It is part of college, but you will figure all that out for yourself. Bothered by that? Go to the gym or watch your diet, whatever you need to do. You can gain it back when summer rolls back around so don’t stress about it.

2. Your hair

In a figurative sense or perhaps a not-so-figurative sense, you are going to pull your hair out. You are stressed, have a million things going on and you need to take a breather. You have classes to attend, papers to write and meetings. Biggest advice, pace yourself and slow down. You don’t have to be Superman and Wonder Woman. You've got four years to do stuff, so don’t try to cram it all in one term.

3. Sleep

I know, say it ain’t so. But it is true. Your sleep pattern is wonky. Late hours of studying, doing homework, socializing, working. It is inevitable—your sleep is going to be affected at one point or another. And if you can keep a normal sleeping pattern, the rest of college students envy you. Just remember, a social life is important but so are your studies. You might have already heard the lecture that goes study, study, study. Although you don’t have to study all the time, you should have it as your top priority. You don’t want to mess up your education and your friends shouldn’t either.

4. Free time

Time is a big thing. It is the twin of sleep. And it feels like you don’t have much time for having time. You are constantly on the move or doing something. So again, pace yourself and take that needed breather. You might not be as busy as you think and taking a break is reasonable, so do it.

5. Someone making appointments for you

It is the worst. You have to do it yourself ... or just constantly put it off. But we all wanted to “adult.” So now, we got to “adult.”

6. Home

The biggest and perhaps hardest goodbye that you might have to make. There are weekends, breaks and holidays where you can go home to visit, but it’s just not the same. Although it’s hard leaving, in the end, it will be worth it. College is not something easily transitioned into. It might go smoothly, but you’ll still have your stresses and setbacks, but a phone call or a brief visit can help with that. You might think that you won't miss home that much when you first get there, but there will be a time where you are going to need a moment. Usually, those moments come after what we tend to call a “midlife crisis,” which could be anything, and you are going to have to make that phone call. Just because you are out of the house doesn’t mean you can’t still ask for help. It’s a new experience, and you’re not going to know how to do everything.

Whether or not you find the humor in this, just remember it is what you make of it. So you might not gain 15 pounds … instead just one. You might figure out the perfect sleeping schedule. You might manage your time quite well. Or you might not. The point is you are going to experience change. If you don’t like change, think of it as an adaptation. Things will be different. It’s not what you’re used to, but you can do it. So don’t stress the little things and try not to stress the big things. You got this!