1. Waking up early.
You realize you have to wake up early every morning for class. And if you don't have an early class, then you still have to wake up at the crack of dawn to get a parking spot.
2. You're tired.
All the time. Because you have to wake up so early, that leads to not sleeping as much, because when was the last time you remember going to sleep before midnight?
3. You haven't had a real meal...
...well, since you were home last. Between sporting events, homework, work, and trying to fit a social life in there, it doesn't leave a lot of time to work on your culinary skills.
4. You also haven't done laundry.
Getting into a routine of doing laundry every week or two is hard. College students will test the limits for how long we can go before washing clothes. Your sophomore high school t-shirt at the bottom of your drawer? Smells clean. Wear it!
5. You're sore.
Over the summer, you probably relaxed or had a job or did both. But you didn't have to walk a mile to class every day. Or speed walk up the hill of death to make it to class on time. Your calves burn and you dread having to walk across campus for your classes.
6. Coffee has become your best friend.
Before college it had to be a rare occasion for you to drink a cup of coffee. Now, you require a cup every few hours to function and make it through the day. Have to pull an all-nighter for your test tomorrow? Don't worry, coffee has got your back.
7. You have a social life again.
When being at home for the summer, you might see your high school friends for lunch one day, or catch a movie together, but it is nothing like the bond of college friends. You can drive right down the road to their apartment and bake cookies at 2 a.m. if you want to!
8. You actually miss your family.
I know none of us really like to admit this one, but going back to college, for lot of us, means leaving your family. As crazy as they make you, you find yourself starting to miss them and all of their lovable insanity.
9. You take your first test...
...and you either nail it or bomb it. Getting back into the groove of studying is hard. It might take a little bit to get there, but we will. That first test came faster than you thought and it smacks you in the face that this semester is in full swing.
10. You meet new people.
Whether you are a freshman or a senior, a new semester means new faces. Seeing all of the freshman trying to find their class, or the seniors just counting down the days to graduation, you missed the newness. Who knows, your future best friend or spouse could be among those you meet this semester.
I know that college is hard, and if you haven't had at least one mental breakdown, then you aren't doing it right; but deal with the hardships the best you can and take in all the good things. Do things that you have never done before. Make friends and memories that will last a lifetime. Because just remember, you only go to college once. Make it count.
