“Don’t become caffeine dependent.” “Apply to more than one college.” “Go to sleep!” These were all words of advice offered not by moms and guidance councilors, but by seven Wareham High alums who know firsthand about the transition from high school to college.

The alumni were called back to the high school as part of College Homecoming on Friday, a Q&A session to give soon-to-be graduates an idea about what it takes to thrive in college.

At least 50 seniors attended the optional, hour-long meeting that started off with a question about the differences between high school and college life.

“In high school, you wake up, you go to school, go to all your classes…repeat,” said UMass Amherst senior Meghan Pace. But at college, “You really have to figure everything else out on your own.”

The college students stressed time management, the need to take responsibility for yourself and the reality that there is a lot of note taking.

“You can’t just ask them to repeat,” said Gordon College freshman Maddie St. Julien of professors.

One of the most significant transitions was learning to interact with new people.

“You’re a small fish in a big pond,” said Emma Wynne, Wareham’s 2014 valedictorian and a sophomore at Wheaton College.

Cecila Briggi matriculated to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York and admitted she had a tough time at the beginning.

“It was hard to call my mom [and say] ‘I’m OK’ when all I wanted was to come home,” she said.

Getting involved in a sorority helped her adjust.

G. Allen Perry, a freshman at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, said it was also difficult for him to move to a new city and attend a school where he didn’t know anyone.

It was hard “jumping into a whole new pool of fish where everyone thinks they’re the best and they dress better than you do,” he said.

But for Perry, the decision to go to FIT was a long time coming. He wanted to attend the fashion university that graduated Michael Kors and Calvin Klein since eighth grade, and it was the only school he applied to.

Sending in only one application was not something the rest of the group recommended.

Said Nicole Russo, a student at Stonehill College, “Have safety schools!”

Briggi said she didn’t get into her two top choices, but she's learned to love her school.

“I realized life had to go on. [RPI] was my next best choice. Take your best chance,” she said.

The Wareham High graduates also cautioned students to think about their personalities and preferences when choosing a school.

“I knew I could not be a person sitting in an auditorium with the professor not knowing my name. That’s why I chose a small school,” said Russo.

The students also discussed adjusting to communal bathrooms (bring lots of flip flops) and living with roommates.

“I thought I was going to have to take a leave of absence my first semester and join the Peace Corps,” said Pace, who roomed with two girls her first semester. “It was important to learn how to live with other people.

“Just talk everything out. If you don’t, you’re going to have problems,” said Kaylyn Lockyer, a freshman at Assumption College.

The college students also gave seniors advice on enjoying their last semester in high school.

“Don’t take it for granted, whatever you do,” said Russo.

St. Julien also indicated that better days are ahead, though there are plenty of memorable moments to be had before June.

“No, high school is not the greatest time of your life,” she said. “Don’t countdown the days to high school graduation, live in the moment have fun, but not too much fun.”