College is hard. College is stressful. College is different.
You're not in a tiny little high school anymore where you know every single person and what they ate for dinner last night. You're not in our tiny hometown where everyone knows our family. You're not in our tiny little town in South Jersey where everyone says hello.
The transition into college is not an easy one. I won't lie to you and say you won't cry at least once a day for the first week. It's different. It's new. Change is hard, yet inevitable.
So here are 10 things to remember as you go off to college;
1. Keep in touch with your high school friends.
These people have seen you grow and change since you were 5. They know you; who you are, what you stand for, your likes, dislikes. Keep them close, they can prove to be your biggest supporters.
2. Don't get stuck in high school.
Your home and high school are a huge part of your life, I know. But there comes a time where you have to let go. Move on. Let the kids younger then you have their high school experience and show them what it's like to be a college student.
3. Join something, anything.
It doesn't have to right away, but please get involved. They say it on every tour, every brochure, every orientation, but it is so important. You have the ability to meet so many other people besides your roommate or the people on your floor if you just decide to put yourself out there and try something new.
4. It is okay if you are not best friends with your roommate.
People have this unrealistic thought process that when you go to college you MUST be best friends with your roommate or your doomed for all eternity. Your roommate will be your first friend, sure. You'll get your first dining hall meal with her, go to your first sporting event with her, go to your first frat party with her. She'll be a person you experience a lot with. But do not force a friendship that may not be there. It is perfectly okay to not have your roommate be your best friend.
5. Frat Parties: A Saga
You're going to these parties where a fraternity shoves as many girls as they can into a hot, sweaty basement and you're supposed to have fun. You will. You'll get drunk and go and have so much fun with your friends you'll want to go out on Monday nights. But this is where college gets scary. *Cue protective older sister.* Cover your drink, use your head, don't go anywhere alone. There is so much opportunity for something to go wrong, please be careful.
6. Boys suck.
Not every boy has your best interest in mind. Some lie. Some cheat. Some manipulate. Never forget your worth and don't ever let a boy determine it for you. You'll have your heart broken, but don't self destruct. There's more out there. There's boys who'll take your heart, I know. Just make sure you're ready to give it him.
7. Freshman 15 is real.
EAT SOMETHING GREEN. That is all.
8. Study hard.
You're there to learn, to get a degree, to get a job. Party hard, absolutely, but don't forget about school. Work hard, play hard. Keep that motto in mind and I have no doubts you'll be successful.
9. Call Mom, please.
You're going to have a new found appreciation for everything she's ever done for you. You'll also realize she was right about everything. Call her. Tell her about your day, tell her miss her, ask about the cats. These conversations will prove to help you and her more than you know. You may not think so now, but you're going to miss the hell out of her.
10. Most importantly, call ME.
I am always here. I've gone through the things you're going through. I've been there. Call me and tell me your home friends won't answer your calls anymore. Call me when you have your first weekend at home. Call me after your first club meeting and tell me all about it. Call me when you can't stand your roommate anymore. Call me the morning after your first frat party. Call me when a boy sucks. Call me when you can't find a single thing that looks appetizing in the dining hall. Call me when you fail a test.
Just call me and I promise not to say I told you so.
So this one's for you, my younger sister going off to college, have the time of your life.
You only have four years. Make them count.
