To Myself Last Year, On The Day of High School Graduation

I remember you. I remember how excited you were the day you got your cap and gown. I remember how the days seemed to drag on so slow that last week of school, while all the while you ruminated how the years had passed so quickly. I remember you promising you'd keep in touch with your friends and planning to have the best summer ever. I certainly remember you thinking, What comes next after high school?

Fortunately, I know what came next. I know what happened the day after graduation, where the cap and gown got hung up in the closet and stayed there for the next year. I know how it felt to squeeze everything you could into that last summer before your life changed forever. I even know what happened when you went to that scary place called college. My life one year post-graduation is going well, and I've had some experiences I doubt you would ever predict. So here are some things to keep an eye out for.

First, appreciate your family and friends this summer. This is the last time you'll all be living your lives together. When you go off to college, the dynamic changes. You have experiences that your parents, sisters and friends don't, and you reconvene with different memories. That doesn't mean that swapping stories and having new experiences isn't awesome; it's just different. Hold on to the sameness for as long as you can.

That being said, don't be afraid to try new things over the next year. When you go to college, everyone will be new. You can start over with a blank slate. And yes, that's a little scary. In high school, everyone knew the "you" you were for the last 12 years. It was a little hard to break out of that mold. But now is your chance. Choose activities that will interest and inspire you, and don't be afraid if you've never tried them before! This especially goes for flag football and swing dancing.

Keep an eye out for new friends. Be open to meeting people from day one. Some of the people you meet during the first weekend of college will go on to have crazy adventures with you over the year. Some people you meet on the first day, you now consider your closest friends. Put yourself out there. You'll be glad you did!

Finally, enjoy every minute of summer. Right now, you've just graduated high school. You have tons of time before the fall! Don't be afraid to sit back and relax—trust me, you'll do plenty of work when you're in college. Connect with your friends, engage with your family and appreciate every day you have.

Congrats, grad! I'd wish you luck, but I know for a fact that you'll be just fine.

Have a wonderful summer and a wonderful future, class of 2016!