Your life will soon be filled with exciting new options — career paths, independence, and maybe even a tiny apartment with questionable plumbing (welcome to the club!). But with all this freedom comes a mountain of questions: What do I do next? Where do I even begin?

Fear not! This user manual is here to help you navigate the first steps of constructing an awesome future. There are many resources out there to give advice, warnings, and examples, but, ultimately, it’s up to you. That’s why we’ve set up this issue like an instruction manual. We hope that you’ll feel equipped and empowered, informed and prepared — ready to build the life you want.

Let’s take it one step at a time. We start with the basics — because you can’t build on a shaky foundation. We’ll walk you through organizational strategies, internship tips, and learning about your future classmates and colleagues. Then, we’ll level up with your most requested info about classes, college applications, and keeping it together.

Finally, we’ll take you through work and college options, helping you establish a life on your own. Got questions about finances? We’ve got answers. Don’t know how to cook? We’ve got recipes. Worried about advanced coursework? We’ve got strategies. Hopefully, you’ll find it all in these pages. And remember, you can also read past issues (and submit story ideas for next year) here our website at FloridaNEXT.com.

Let’s pull up our sleeves and get to work!