Maybe this nine year old isn't really a baby any more. But for me, she'll always me be my baby sister. Even when we're packing up all of her things from her bedroom to move into her dorm. But here are some things I, and every older sister, wants their younger sister to know as they get ready for the next step of their life.

You'll miss your family a lot.

So call us, often. And if you're lucky enough to live just a bit of a drive away from home, come home some weekends and spend time with us. Yes, it's fun to go to parties and hang out with friends, but never get caught up in that and lose sight of who and what's really important.

Make friends, and lots of 'em.

The friends you make in college are going to be the friends you have for the rest of your life. Whether you find some amazing sisters in a sorority, become best friends with your roommates, or meet awesome people in your Chemistry class, college is all about networking and creating relationships. Make sure you find people that'll help you in a professional way, but also people who are going to stay up with you and eat pizza until 3 A.M. talking about boy problems.

Oh, and about boys... or girls, or whoever you end up liking...

If you meet someone at a party or in your Economics class or whatever, and they're just "sooo cute," then sure, go out with them, and have a great time. But if you can tell that this person isn't going to treat you right or is just going to waste your time, don't let it happen. Find someone who is going to be good to and for you, who is going to bring you up when you are down, who's going to buy your family Christmas presents just because he/she wants to. Those are the kind of people you'll put aside your Organic Chemistry book for.

Make sure you find balance.

Your first few weeks at college will be CRAZY busy. You'll be signing up for classes, meeting people, and probably wondering if you should get a job. But once you find yourself in the groove, make sure that you're finding a balance between all of these things. Manage your time wisely, study, spend time with friends, volunteer, workout (sometimes..okay, at least once a semester), sleep, and go out once in a while!

But don't ever put your drink down.

I don't care how well you think you know everyone at that party. If I'm not there watching out for you, then you have to promise me you're going to watch out for yourself. About 85-90 percent of rape victims know their rapist. Remember, it's not you that I don't trust; it's everybody else. (Man, do I sound like Mom and Dad or what?)

And I'm always, always here for you.

Whether you've had the best day of your life or you've had the worst day of your life, call me. If you went on amazing date, I want to know about it. If you fail a test and you don't know how to tell Mom and Dad, don't forget I've probably (definitely) been there and done that, so I can tell you the best way to do it. If you and your friends have been drinking and no one can drive, call me, I promise I'll find a way to get you home safe, even if I'm not in the country. If you want to know what foundation to use or what kind of birth control to be on or how to make chicken that tastes like Mom's at home (***still haven't perfected this one, probably will never***), give me a call, and I promise I'll always do my best to lead you in the right direction.

And you're always my best friend.

No matter what you do, you're still stuck as my BFF. Because when I'm helping you pack up your room as you get ready to leave, we'll remember how we shared a room for eight years, and how I used to force you to let me try and braid your hair, and how you stole pretty much all of my things at least once. But we'll also remember all the nights I babysat you and let you stay up late to finish watching Barbie and the Mermaid Unicorn Fairy Princess, or whatever movie it was. And you won't be able to remember this, but I'll always remember you taking your first steps, and how quickly you let go of my hand.

But I promise, no matter what, it'll always still be there for you as your sister and as your best friend.