I was one of those people who loved high school, never once felt senioritis and went to all my club meetings 10 minutes early through the final week of senior year. But all good things come to an end and somehow, what they won't share, is that it might take all summer — or even all year — before it sinks in that you really aren't in high school anymore.

Many of my friends and I still feel like last week was our Senior Night, and just yesterday were our graduation parties. I tried my hardest to soak in every moment of the summer after senior year, knowing that I wouldn't be back home until December, and I'm so glad I did. Spending so much time with my family and friends gave me the memories to reflect on when college got tough and homesickness set in.

Summer is so close, but you just might miss high school more than you can anticipate. It is so wonderful to have all — or almost all — of your friends in the same place. Technology is awesome, but FaceTime can't erase all the challenges of your friends living in different time zones. Spend some time thanking your teachers, and coming in early to school, even though you only have a few days left. They really do want to see you succeed, and you'll miss having somewhere to go since most students don't go early to class in college. Cheer on your friends in the playoffs and on their senior nights. Some of my favorite memories from high school were made in the student section, but you can't make those memories if you don't go. Graduation is exciting; prom is so much fun. But please, don't rush through your last couple weeks of high school because you're too eager to begin your next adventure.

Even with college looming on the horizon, the summer after senior year will likely be the best summer yet. Everything — from ice cream runs to pool parties to family dinners — becomes a little bittersweet yet a little more special because, chances are, you won't be seeing your best friends and your family every day come fall. My best advice to you is to go to everything, for as long as you have left. If the baseball team or the soccer team still has senior night, go. Even if none of your friends are playing in the band's final concert, go anyways. Go to as many graduation parties as you can; there won't be another summer where every weekend is a celebration of your friends and their accomplishments. If your sister asks you to take her and her friends mini-putting, do it. It may not be the coolest thing to spend an afternoon with a group of middle schoolers, but you'll regret it later if you say no. Don't turn down a bonfire or lunch with your grandparents or a spontaneous trip to the ballpark. Even if you're worried about packing or the year ahead, it will take care of itself. Cherish the people you're with, because you may not get to spend time with them for another 5 months.

Lastly, it is possible to remain close with your hometown best friends. FaceTime, Snapchat and texting are so helpful in maintaining strong friendships, as well as relationships with your family. After so many years of friendship, in many cases, you'll pick up right where you left off in person over Christmas break. You may have changed some, but that just leads to new stories to be shared. You'll make lots of new friends at college, but the people you're about to spend summer with will be a phone call away, regardless of the circumstances. Don't neglect that in the midst of your first year away. Most likely, you'll spend next summer with them too; and no matter where you go, you'll have a small inkling for home and be so excited when you're finally reunited with the people and place you love.