It's back to college time!

For many of us, move in day has already come and gone. For others, it's only a few days away. If you're anything like me, you can't wait to get back to your happy place, aka your respective college or university.

As many of us already know, and many freshmen will soon realize, in the next couple of weeks, college is much different than high school. Typically, college is a place where expressing ourselves is encouraged and where figuring out who we want to be is guaranteed. Whether it's the campus, the people, the events, the clubs and organizations or the community we all have our own reasons for succeeding while at college. Below are 10 reasons why thriving at college is possible.

1. Independence.

This is very obvious. But it's so, so true. The independence that college demands out of us makes us grow up quickly and also gives us the freedom we've been waiting for.

2. Being ourselves.

College should be a safe haven for all students regardless of race, beliefs, interests, etc. If you aren't at a college or university that promotes self-love, growth and the acceptance of others, you're truly missing out.

3. Positive environments.

The people, the professors, the President, the dining hall workers and the maintenance crew are all equally important in creating a positive environment for us students. If you have this positive environment, thriving is much easier.

4. Places to work.

The communities around our schools are constantly looking for and hiring college students. It's one of the many advantages of going to college.

5. No longer sitting in a desk for seven hours.

Yeah, more like 50 minutes, or maybe and hour and 15 minutes, tops. It's much easier getting through the day knowing there are only two classes to get through.

6. Choosing friends.

In high school, we were kinda forced to befriend people that we sat next to for 180 days. Of course, we had our best friends, too. In college, we get to choose the types of people to be around day in and day out. It's pretty awesome.

7. Choosing classes.

Don't want to take that Spanish Class quite yet? It's OK, just take a class that would interest you more. Don't want to have 8 a.m. classes? Working around this is typically possible.

8. Free gym.

Yep. That's right. Perfect opportunity to show some self-love!

9. Networking.

It's surprising how quickly meeting helpful people and professors will happen in the first year of college. It only continues to happen throughout the rest of the journey.

10. Social life.

Meeting new people is just really important. It's also really, really fun.

So, whether your a freshman or a senior, make sure you take advantage of the opportunities college life offers!