As this semester draws to a close and I return home from my first year away, I bring back with me a multitude of lessons that I was bound to learn at one time or another in my adult life. I was lucky enough to learn them in college, as I'm sure most of you have been as well. How to handle things on my own, how to do laundry, how to grocery shop... the list goes on.

Let's face it: College is a time where we do stupid things. We act differently. We're in a different place with different people and we have the right to reinvent.

No matter what you do in college, don't beat yourself up about it.

You're just learning.

Here are a few of the lessons I learned in my first year away from home.

1. Don't hook up with an athlete

Don't do it. He may have a six-pack. He may be a sweet talker. He may be so, so hot. But honey, please save yourself and just don't do it. It'll come back to bite you. (He's probs a f*ckboy anyway let's be honest.)

2. Coffee is always the answer

Stressed over school work? Caffeinate. Boy trouble? Go on a coffee date with your girls. Stressed over life? Caffeinate. Happy with how things are going? Caffeinate, just because you deserve that latte. You get my point.

3. The friends you come in with won't be the ones you leave with

Things change. The friends you started college with probably won't be the ones you end it with. That's life, and it's completely normal to lose people. You may find some people annoying by the end. It's okay to cut them off.

4. People will always ask for food

I got a text at least three times a week asking if I had snacks in my dorm. If I did, I would always offer them out. (Pro tip: always have extra food around.)

5. Your water:alcohol ratio should be equal

You'll regret that bottle of wine or those shots of tequila even more if you don't drink water with them.

6. Drink more water. Period.

Even if you think you drink enough water, you don't. Drink more. Your body will thank you. Plus, you lose focus when you're dehydrated.

7. No, you can't handle that 8 a.m. Stop lying to yourself

You may think you can handle that 8 a.m. It's only two days a week, right? Don't do it. It's a trap.

8. All-nighters aren't always bad

I know they seem like the worst thing to ever happen to a college student, but they're not. You get things done and you get to caffeinate. It's a win-win. Plus, who doesn't like living the life of a night owl?

9. You probably won't find Mr. Right in college

And if you don't, that's okay. You deserve better than the football player or Chad from Theta Alpha Gamma, anyway.

10. Disney Channel Original Movie soundtracks will always be a hit

Oh, you thought that wasn't cool anymore? College teaches you otherwise.

11. When in doubt, watch Netflix

There's nothing that a little binge-watching sesh won't fix, I promise

12. You will meet your best friends during college

It's true what they say: You meet lifelong friends in college. Cherish them.

12 lessons down, one million more to go.