• Don’t be like your father who when he was in college used the sniff test. I was mortified when I found that out. Ewwwww.

• Eat right. You run, and exercise in high school each day. You get to college you do the same as you are on a team, I won’t be there to give you the food you need. So choose well and eat right. Eat your protein and greens…. Just do it. OK!

• I know I said get up and go for coffee once a week, for the love of all that is HOLY DO NOT SIGN UP FOR EARLY MORNING CLASSES. Just don’t do it, we ALL know you can’t do it. There aren’t enough alarm clocks, just DON’T!!!

• Remember that you want to be in the publishing field. SOCIAL MEDIA will HAUNT you. Just think about this, Grandma follows you. Enough said, I don’t want or need a call from her telling me what you are up to. Also future employers will not hire you if it is out there for all to see. Don’t make me come out there and dig a hole OK.

• Be true and honest with everything. I have told you this countless times, you are given a free integrity. It is CLEAN, keep it that way. It is all that you are given for free and it is easy to keep. Be true and honest, and you will always have your integrity.

• You know what our family motto is “Work hard, play hard.” You know we put in many hours and many days in order to be able to travel, scuba, ATV, snowboard, horse ride or what ever else. Your job out there is to work hard in and out of class. Do that homework well and hand it in early or if not early ON TIME!!!
• Remember that time dad handed in a 15 page paper one minute late, the professor threw it in the garbage can right in front of him. He got a 0. I can’t call your teacher/professor on that one mate, or anything. This is your thing now, you have to do it, on your own. You have been doing it, now just keep it up buddy.
• Ok serious one here….. You are 18. So when you are uncertain of a decision that you are about to make, put this front and center of your brain… You are 18 and we can’t fix everything with a phone call. You will be tried as an adult. Make SMART decisions, again you got into college, you are smart.

• Going along those lines of you are smart, the Bookstore is the most expensive store on campus. GO TO WALMART!!! Actually the bookstore is the last resort.

• Call us and check in with us. Again don’t make me get on a plane and come hunt you down. I love texting with you, but I will want to hear your voice, and so will dad. So yes that cell phone can be used to make a call. I know, I know, amazballs….. And no we didn’t pay extra for that, it has always been that way

• Dad says give him a heads up and he will Skype with you at the local coffee shop.  He is going to really miss those coffee house talks mate.

• Another seriously one here….. Don’t go anywhere alone, or somewhere without someone knowing where you are going. It’s not like home where they care about you coming back sometimes. Also don’t leave your friend somewhere alone. If you and a friend go out together, stay together, and leave together. THAT ONE I AM SERIOUS ABOUT.

• Do not leave uneaten, partially eaten, or whatever food, in your dorm room. MICE. Or other things will start to invade that small space. That is just Ewwwwwww.

• Always have that emergency $20.00 on you. Always, and if you use it, replace it! PS it’s for emergency’s and Starbucks is NOT an emergency. Or Panera…

• Remember we LOVE YOU!!!!

• Your room will always be here, well a version of it anyways, your sister is already redecorating it and installing shelves for her horse collection. There is the basement. I’m kidding, it will always be here for you.

We are going to miss you so much kiddo, but I know that you are going to do amazing things with your life.  You have chosen a great city in which to start this amazing life of yours.

Ray from BritishMumUSA is a fun loving British Mum living in the USA, enjoying life.  She is in the process of raising two daughters, while writing, reading, riding horses, scuba diving, and and running a home…