Freshman year of college is one of the most life changing years of your life. Even if you didn't think so while you were going through it, looking back you can see just how much you changed during that first year on your own. You can also see all the times you wish you could go back and grab yourself by the shoulders and just yell at yourself for being so dumb or not listening to the advice being given around you (or maybe that's just me).

So, with that---here are the ten things I wish I could tell to my freshman year self.

1. Make Jesus your number one priority.

The occasional prayer or once a week quiet time isn't enough. I know you think it's enough, but this year is about to bring some of the most challenging and growing moments in your life, and you're going to need to have a firm rock to fall back on. Make this relationship the most important one in your life.

2. Invest in your community.

God has blessed you with some great friends. Do not take that for granted. Invest in these people now. Grow in the Lord together now. Do not wait to start growing with these people, because the sooner you start, the longer you have together.

3. Stay on campus on the weekends.

I know this seems dumb. It seems like everyone is gone on the weekends, and all you want to do is go home and visit all the people that you miss you so much, but trust me, do it in moderation. While campus probably isn't the most exciting place to be on Friday and Saturday night, I promise you'll remember those times. It's in those quiet and uneventful days that you'll bond with everyone around you the most, because I mean if you all have nothing to do, might as well all do nothing together, right?

4. Don't focus on finding the one.

I know everyone has this idea deep down that they will find the love of their lives during that first magical year, and sure it's a great theory, but you're not ready. You have so much of your own baggage you still need to work on that it's not the right time to try to bring someone else along with you for the ride yet. Also, college is a fun time to be single. For probably the one time in your life, all you have to worry about is yourself. Enjoy that. The right one will come along eventually.

5. Coffee.

Do not become dependent on it. Let's be real, you can't afford that addiction. I mean we both know you're broke from all those parking tickets since you refuse to park in the freshman parking lot. Also, it will get you into trouble when one day you don't have time to make it, and your pounding headache won't shut up long enough for you to hate yourself for feeding this addiction. So, learn to enjoy this drink for how deliciously wonderful it is, but do not become addicted so early on. Trust me on that one.

6. Find something you love and do it.

Yes, you are in college to learn and do school, but you will burn out so quickly if that is the only thing you do. Take time out of each day and do something you love. Read a book, write something, listen to a podcast, go for a drive, whatever you need to do. But pick something that doesn't involve the word Netflix and do it. Every day.

7. Work out.

I know life is busy and sometimes you're just so tired, but just give it 30 minutes. The better you feel physically the better you're going to feel mentally and emotionally. Over working yourself is not the way to succeed in this place. College is a marathon, not a sprint. Learn how to make it get through it for the long haul.

8. Learn to study.

I know classes seem easy now, but they won't always be. Even if you don't really need to study that hard, get in the habit of doing it. Trust me, this will save you from so many late night study sessions in the future.

9. Take pictures.

I know this seems stupid, since we're a generation known for our cameras constantly snapping, but this is a big one. I'm not talking about the staged, make yourself look good and post on Instagram kind of pictures. I'm talking about pictures of the everyday moments with the people you're enjoying these years with. Take pictures that you'd be so embarrassed if they got out, but that you and your friends can cry laughing at. It's the little moments that you'll look back on and be the most thankful for.

And lastly...

10. Don't wish this year away.

I know sometimes it sucks to be the new kids on campus. I know there are a lot of times when you're going to wish you could just skip over this first year which is full of transitions and new moments, but I can promise you all of us who are nearing the end of our time in this season are wishing more than anything we could be you right now. Freshman year is one of the most special years of your life. You and your friends will never have as much time together as you do right now. You will never be so free from responsibility and allowed to just enjoy life as you are this year. Do not wish this away, because I promise, three years from now, you'll be wishing you could go back and relive this all again.