It’s currently 12:11 a.m. on the day that I move back into my dorm for my second year of college. I have to be up at 4 to make the drive back.

So why am I still up?

I’m coloring my hair.

Yes, it seems pretty irrational of me to color my hair at midnight when I have to be up in four hours, but hear me out! I tried to color my hair in a conditioning treatment a few hours ago, but when I dried it, my hair looked patchy and gross. I had to go over it again.

So, that brings me to where I am right now: sitting on my bed with my goopy purple hair in a bun, waiting another 25 minutes to rinse this out while the rest of my life is packed in boxes in the back of my parents’ car.

Sound familiar? If you’re like me, you know the struggle.

1. Your first time coloring your hair was likened to a religious experience.

My first hair color was when I was a sophomore in high school. I just did the tips of my hair blue with a Manic Panic dye, but I felt like a whole new person.

2. You've had at least three different colors in your hair since.

I've been blue, purple, red, black, platinum blonde (not coloring, but still), lilac, silver and now purple again. It's been a bumpy ride.

3. People assume you've just gone through a traumatic event every time you change your hair.

No, I don't need a change to compensate for a change in my life. I saw a Tumblr post and thought it looked good.

4. Gloves are for chumps.

Your dyed hands and nails are your war paint.

5. But you always wish you had worn them.

OK, but seriously, when are you coming off, color?

6. Vaseline and deep conditioners are your best friend.

The Vaseline protects your skin and adding the conditioner mixed with the color gives you a deep condition while you wait. What more could you want?

7. Box colors are a big no.

You know to never trust a color from a box. You'll stick with your vegan jar colors, thank-you-very-much.

8. And you know to not lighten your hair by yourself.

If you're that determined to have platinum blonde hair for pastel hair colors, dish out the money and hire a professional. Your hair will thank you.

9. You know the maintenance is hell.

Why does my purple fade to green? Why do I have to do this every three weeks? Why do my roots grow so fast?

10. But it's so worth it when you get showered in compliments every day for your hair.

True story.