Congratulations to the Class of 2018! You all have just completed a long series of lasts and are about to embark on a new exciting series of firsts. 

Some of these firsts will be hard and some will fun. But all of them will make you better and should remind you how you are exactly where you need to be. 

For those of you worried about what comes next,  my one year of higher education now qualifies me an expert on what to expect in your first year away at school. So follow my advice, both practical and spiritual, and you all will be just fine.

First, its important that you get your priorities straight. College can be really fun, but remember that college is all about grinding, not about partying, not about finding yourself, not even about playing sports. 

Getting good grades needs to be the first priority because there will be no parties when you get sent home for not making grades. There is a positive correlation between your amount of grind and the other stuff. More grinding you get done the more parties, games and introspective meditation sessions you will have time for.

This leads directly into my second piece of advice: manage your time wisely. For example, when you have midterms it is not a good time to drop everything to go to the ultimate Frisbee team kegger. 

Many of you will be faced with difficult choices how to spend your time. But trust me, getting an A on a midterm is much better then than getting a nose full of PBR after only 12 seconds of keg standing. 

Remember to sleep and eat on a regular basis or else you will die.

It is also important to put yourselves out there. Getting involved in clubs, teams and organizations is one of the best ways to make lasting friendships on campus. It also gives you an opportunity to carry on what you are good at, whether it’s computer algorithms or land based quidditch. 

It is always okay to try something new except when its drugs. 

There will be times when it feels like you’ve been assigned so much reading that there is not enough time to finish it all. Those feelings are valid. There definitely is too much work and too little time to do it in. 

Welcome to college, amigos. Just know that with a little elbow grease it all mostly gets done. Just make sure to understand the main points.

From time to time it will also be necessary to call your mother. She is a very nice woman who cares a lot about you. She wants to hear from you and know what you’re are up to. Make sure you call her and let her know how you have been and what you have been it up to. 

It’s OK to use discretion when speaking to your mother. She wants to know how you are, but she does not want to know everything.

The most important advice I can give you is to learn – from your classes, your environment, and the people around you. College has taught me a lot that will help be successful down the road, but it also has taught me a lot about myself. 

Not only do I now have a firm grasp on federal case precedent concerning Native Americans, but I also have learned how to live independently. 

It’s important to always be learning, whether it be organic chemistry or just how to work the laundry machines.  Learning experience make you better people that are more prepared for the world.

Again congratulations and try not to stress too much. It’s all going be fine. You are all going places and you will get there when you get there, so enjoy the ride. 

Patrick Rettig is the esteemed and award winning former editor in chief of The Californian. He  attends UC Santa Cruz and is majoring in legal studies. He enjoys a good burrito.