To the Class of 2017,

So you finally made it through high school, and we couldn't be more proud of you. We all know how hard it was to make it through those final days when it was so close yet so far away from you. This is your time to shine and show the world what you are made of.

When you move on to college, your mom or dad won't be there to tell you to get up and get ready for school or that until you study for your history test you won't get to look at your phone. Here are a few things that I wish I had known before I was out on my own:

1. Go to the on-campus events.

Trust me on this- one, they are awesome. When you go to your respective schools, there is always some welcome week where there are a bunch of free events to attend where you can meet a TON of really awesome people. Now I know you are thinking, "well I don't want to be the weird person who goes to these things," well news flash honey, more than likely you won't know everybody there as you did in high school, so let them judge you.

2. Don't forget where you came from.

It may seem like a thousand miles away, but home is home. Whether you are paying for everything on your own, your parents are paying for it all, or they are helping you out, they are everything. For a while when I came to college I thought that I was now "too cool" to go home and do things out there because I was "older" and "grown," but it was my saving grace. There come times in the semesters when everything just gets to be too much, and you need to get out and the only place you have to go, is home. Going home is probably one of the best feelings in the world. The smell, the feel, the familiarity is something like no other. Your parents will cook you dinner, your pets will love on you a little extra, and it will be the best nights sleep you will have had in a while.

3. Trust your gut.

If all of your new friends are going out to this party but you have a feeling that you should stay in, do it. It is always better to be safe rather than sorry because unlike being at home where you know all the secrets and ways out of things, this is a new town and new environment. Now don't get me wrong, go out and have some fun but if it doesn't feel right to you, get yourself out of the situation. If you are worried that those people won't stay friends with you because you won't go out or you want to leave early, guess what, there are plenty more people where they came from.

4. Create a relationship with your professors.

Contrary to popular belief, professors do want to see each of their students succeed. They may have 300+ students a week, but each of those students is counting on them to make sure they can go to the next class. Professors love students who aren't afraid to ask questions or answer them. They have office hours for a reason, if you need help, go to them. Also, they are human, they understand we all make mistakes and that things happen so be honest with them and don't take advantage of their kindness.

5. Take pictures and enjoy your time.

Don't try and grow up so fast. I remember being so eager to see my parents out my front door so I could be "on my own, " but when I got down to it, it was lonely. If they want to see you, let them, 1. It's a free meal and 2. family time is probably the best medicine when you are having a bad day. Take so many pictures that you don't know what to do with all of them. Keep the tickets and the buttons and all the cool random things you get and put them in a memory box. Everything you save and can capture will be worth it in the end because years down the road you won't remember all of the fun and crazy stuff you did.

Your life is about to change, and that is scary, but it is also fun. This new adventure is something you won't want to forget so take in everything that you can. Class of 2017 good luck!

Yours truly,

An Insider