IT’S WINTER BREAK. The first semester of my freshman year has come to its end. Looking back, the first half of college has changed me in many little ways. Here are some of the habits that I gained during first semester:

1. Studying in public places

Back home, the only place I would study was my house. I quickly learned here that my dorm room was not going to cut it. Instead, I have become used to studying huddled up next to someone else in the library or sharing a table with a stranger in Starbucks.

2. Eating the same thing every day

Other than the weekends, I don't have time to elaborately plan out my meals or search through the options in the dining hall in between classes. I have become used to daily yogurt, wraps, or dining hall toast.

3. Sleeping in

College has really made me appreciate sleep. I was never one to sleep in and I still make myself wake up relatively early compared to most people; however, I have definitely learned to appreciate being able to get an extra hour or two of sleep after a late night out or a long week of studying.

4. Eating alone

Before coming to college, I was always scared of eating alone. But honestly, I have actually come to enjoy it. Yes, it is nice to eat with friends; but sometimes it's just easier to grab a meal on your own during a busy day and not have to worry about anyone else's schedule.

5. Getting hungry in the middle of the night

I blame late-night Pizza House for this. I used to somewhat follow the rule of not eating past 8 PM, but it seems impossible to do that in college. My body seems to have become adjusted to eating late at night, and now I can't eat an early dinner without my stomach grumbling in the middle of the night.

6. Walking everywhere

I used to complain about having to walk from the parking lot of my high school to the front door. Now, that walk would be nothing to me compared to the miles of walking in the freezing cold that I do every day.

7. Looking like crap and not caring

It is not worth the effort of looking presentable every time I leave my dorm room, even though in college it seems like you run into everyone everywhere. I feel like it's just sort of a thing that no one really cares if you look like crap anymore; we all get it.

8. Bringing a phone charger everywhere

Every time I leave my dorm, I honestly never know how long it will be until I come back. I could run into a friend, find a really good study spot and stay there all day, or decide to go meet people for dinner. So, I have just kind of learned to always have my phone charger with me rather than have to worry about going back to my dorm when my phone dies (which seems to happen way too often).

9. Making studying a social activity

I still am more of an on-my-own studier, but I have learned that sometimes I need a break from hours of complete silence and solitude. Studying with friends is a good way to be somewhat productive while also having fun and getting to know more people.

10. Learning/caring about what is going on in the world

I know people say that college can be a sort of bubble that removes you from the rest of the world, but I honestly have felt the opposite. It could just be because there seems to be so much going on in the world and on campus right now, but I feel like I have a bigger inclination to learn and be informed about current events. There are always posters and protests going on around campus, so I feel like I am now a part of a bigger picture, a larger voice, and I generally want to be informed enough to have an opinion about it.

The habits I gained first semester are still new to me, but I'm sure the list will only grow next semester. Goodbye, first semester — thanks for your awkwardness, uncomfortableness, unexpectedness, and endless excitement.