A message to graduating seniors

Being a senior in high school is an extremely exciting time. You're the oldest in the school and you think you run shit. And honestly you do. Think of how you viewed the seniors when you were a freshmen. They were so much older and mature and worldly... and then you become one yourself and see the reality of it. It's a time you start planning for your future which is fun and exciting but equally scary and stressful. So here are my tips on how to tackle your senior year of high school and some helpful things to remember going on to college.

1. If you have the opportunity to graduate early, do it. 
(It's obviously too late for the graduating seniors now to do this, so juniors and younger this one is really for you). Now I know everyone thinks "but no I want to spend time with my friends" or "I won't feel like part of the school anymore by prom or graduation" But none of that matters. If I could go back I would have taken that time to work, save up money, maybe take a couple classes at community college. Because if you don't save up you go into freshmen year broke as fuck, having to call your parents every other week and beg for money. Then after the first couple months they will cut you off and you'll have to get a real job which I don't recommend your first semester. Take time to focus on your work and adjust yourself to the new environment.

2. Don't waste time on people you don't actually care about. 
Everyone has the mindset that it's your last year of high school so you want to be friends with everyone before you all go away. Don't waste your time. Because either way you are only going to really stay in contact with your close friends. I'm not saying you won't talk to other people once in a while, but don't push away your close friends for people you are trying to become friends with. I can count on both hands all the people from high school I talk to on a daily basis. Those are the ones you'll be calling at 2 in the morning because you're drunk and you miss them.

3. Fuck duel enrollment.
Don't spend the money unless it's one you know will transfer to the school you're going to. That goes for AP classes as well. If you don't think you'll get a 3 or above on the exam, don't waste you're money on the test. I spent like 90 bucks or whatever on a child development duel enrollment and have no clue where that credit went. It's floating around space somewhere, but I've never seen it. I guess if you care enough you could ask someone, but to be honest it's not worth it because I know it wouldn't transfer anyway. Take that $90 and splurge at Urban Outfitters. And by splurge I mean buy a tee shirt, a hangover cookbook and a 'fuck my liver' flask; things that will actually be useful in college.

4. Don't get too overwhelmed. 
Failing one physics test does not matter. Don't get sick over your grades, it's stupid. Unless you're trying to get into an ivy league school, your gpa is not that big of a deal. As long as you get alright SAT scores and have some extracurriculars under your belt you'll get in. I was so worried I wouldn't get in anywhere that I applied to 13 schools and got in to all but two. It was a complete waste of money and time. Even if it's not your top choice, you'll get in somewhere and love it. Because college is pretty fucking fun no matter where you go.

5. Your parents are great and all, but learn to be independent. 
I know I'm really lucky that my parents helped me apply to school and pay for loans and everything, but sometimes you have to do things on your own. My dad is overly involved to the point where he won't let me figure things out by myself and I always have to tell him to back off. It makes it really hard to become independent when you don't know how to be. If your parents are helping you, do everything with them, don't let them do it on their own. Because now I'm clueless when it comes to certain things because I was never taught how, it was just done for me. Also if you don't know how to do laundry, learn how to before you go to college. Don't be that pathetic kid asking for help, it's really not that hard and pretty much self explanatory.

6. Group chats are life.
Stay in contact with your friends from home with a group chat. I can't stress enough how nice it is being in a new place and still have all your best friends virtually by your side. Especially if you go somewhere far away like I did and don't know anyone, being able to text in the group chat at any time of the day and someone answering is extremely comforting. They are also great if you are feeling down or stressed and need a good laugh. You're hometown homies always gotchu when it comes to that.

7. Don't do anything just because you think you have to. 
Because you don't. You never have to do anything you don't feel right about. If your friends are all into greek life and you're not about it don't feel pressured to join because of them or anyone else. I joined because I was a legacy and felt like I had to but ended up hating it. So don't bother spending all that money if you aren't 100% about it. If you're friends are getting drunk on a Tuesday and you have a test the next day, pass on drinking and study. It will benefit you in the long run. Learn from my mistakes.

8. That goes for college in general as well. 
If you don't think you're ready, don't go. Take time off to work and think and travel. Don't worry about "graduating on time" that means nothing. You're young. You don't have to graduate at 22 if it's not the right time for you. And don't let anyone shame or guilt you into going. Just because you don't go right after college, doesn't mean you can't go eventually.

9. Don't go to a school for the wrong reasons.
This is what I did. I wanted to get far away and go somewhere warm that people would be jealous of. They had my major, but it wasn't the best place to go for it. This was the dumbest thing I could have ever done. Because even though it isn't the right place for you, you will still fall in love with it. How could you want to leave the palm trees and pool breaks between classes? It will make it harder leaving after you went and made friends. Believe me it would have been easier for me to never experience it because I wouldn't know the difference. Go where they have a good program for your major that you love. Remember it is college, not a vacation.

10. Learn to live for yourself. 
This is different than being independent. Living for yourself is doing things for you, not doing things because other people want or expect you to. This is the time in your life where it is essential to start living for yourself. You no longer have to live for your parents, or you friends. You don't have to do things you hate because your mom told you to. You are on your own to make your own decisions and do what you want to do. Learn how to do this responsibly. Don't do something crazy just because you don't have anyone telling you not to. Do something crazy because it's something you want to do and it's college. You're supposed to do stupid things, mess up, and learn from it.

11. Lastly, always do what makes you happy. 
No matter what, if it will make you happy, do it. And if that's day drinking on a wednesday because your class gets canceled that's okay. Just don't make a habit of it. If it'll make you smile or laugh, it's worth doing. Because in the end if you're happy it will radiate from you and make others happy. There are so many kids in college who are miserable because they listen to all this outside nonsense and it gets to their head. This crazy time in your life can be simple if you just do what makes you happy, and not care what anyone else thinks.