The summer before your freshman year in college can feel like a waiting period for the next chapter of your life; however, you do learn some important lessons during it.

1. Grad party season is literally all season

Almost every weekend of summer is booked with anywhere from two to twelve open houses. No Saturdays spent at the beach, just in garages eating chicken and mostaccioli (by the end of the summer you will have a head start on the freshman 15).

2. You have to start adulting

There’s a lot to get done before you leave for school, and a short timeline to do it all. Between trying to work as many hours as you can at your summer job to save up money, you also have to hit up the doctor, dentist, optometrist and whatever other appointments that need to be taken care of before you leave.

3. Dorm shopping is stressful

There’s plenty of inspiration for what your dorm can look like on Pinterest; however, it all goes down the toilet when you discover you get your last choice dorm and it’s the size of a closet. Trying to budget the necessities and make sure you and your roommate’s decoration style mesh isn’t always the easiest thing.

4. Your class schedule isn’t the best

Going into orientation, you imagined the perfect set of classes to take in the fall. Reality hits when you get there and realize you’re going to have to take 8 a.m. Calculus and that cool elective is full. There’s always spring semester... right?

5. Your wardrobe is not college ready

You know mom said that graduation party money was is to be spent on books and necessities, but it is necessary that you have proper clothes for college. How dare you go in wearing the same old things you wore in high school.

6. Laundry doesn’t do itself

If you are lucky, your parents have been doing your laundry for as long as you can remember. However, there comes a summer day when your mom decides it’s finally time to learn how to tackle the daunting task yourself. I mean that white shirt looks better pink right?

7. You’re going to miss your hometown

You might not live in the most exciting town, but it’s home. You’re familiar with it and that’s not the case for your college town.

8. Saying goodbye to friends is tough

As much as you wish they could all come with you to college, they can’t. After lots of tears, you realize winter break isn’t that far away and there will be new friends to help fill the gap.

9. Saying goodbye to your parents will be tougher

Realizing you’re going to miss your parents hits you at odd moments. Maybe it’s when your dad is giving you self-defense tips before you go to the city or when your mom brings you home Dunkin without even asking what you wanted. They may be annoying at times, but it’s nice to come home to people that love you unconditionally.

10. You are ready to leave

Yes, you may be nervous about starting a new chapter in your life, but it is time. Time to discover about yourself, meet new people, and have new experiences; after all, isn’t that what college is all about?