Like most Freshman, I came into college thinking I had just about everything figured out… Little did I know, I had so much to learn. Here are a few lessons I learned this past year.

1. If you didn’t think to pack it you probably don’t need it. (You’ll realize this when your packing up to move home for the summer)
2. Unless you came to college in a relationship or run across a real keeper, staying single your freshman year is the way to go.
3. If he or she texts/Snapchats/DMs you after midnight he or she is a no go.
4. Get involved.
5. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
6. You will learn to love cereal.
7. If you don't know what to wear to an event creep on social media to see what people wore in years past.
8. Spend the least amount of time possible in your dorm. (Keep yourself busy doing other things)
9. Don’t forget to work out!!! (Your metabolism will fail you and the freshman 15 is very much a thing)
10. The “I’ll give it a semester” excuse is lame, get involved ASAP.
11. You probably won’t talk to your parents every day and that is okay!
12. Don’t let your friendships back home slip away, you’ll want people to hang out with when you come home from break.
13. Try your best not to go home very often first semester, it makes the adjustment easier.
14. Going home only makes your homesickness worse.
15. Get to know your professors.
16. Office hours are there for a reason, GO TO THEM!
17. If you T.A. or S.I. has office hours or a study group… go!
18. Get to know people in all of your classes.
19. Invest in a good pair of walking shoes, ex. Chacos, Birkenstocks.
20. If you plan on going to Sorority or Fraternity Recruitment do your research!
21. Community bathrooms really aren’t that bad.
22. Be cautious entering a community bathroom the morning after a big party…chances are you’re going to get to the “mystery vomit” vomit before the janitorial staff does.
23. ^^^ Same rule applies for dorm elevators.
24. Don’t limit yourself to just one friend group.
25. You will probably think consider transferring at some point, be rational about it. (It is probably just a phase).
26. You’ll probably consider change your major, give it a while.
27. If you are in fact miserable, change your major!
28. Try to start reviewing at least a week before a test.
29. Try to limit the number of all-nighters you pull.
30. Sleep > Pulling an all nighter
31. School always comes first.
32. But don’t study so much that you have no friends and no life because that would make college really boring.
33. Be aware/find out about all of the free stuff you campus has to offer.
34. Find out about all of the local student discounts.
35. Immerse yourself in the culture of the town your college or university is in.
36. The locals are either going to love you or hate you.
37. All drama is unnecessary drama.
38. 10/10 your parent’s advice will still serve you well.
39. 9/10 your friend’s advice will still serve you well.
40. Read The Naked Roommate before you go off to college!
41. Chances are you’re going to hit a low at some point in the semester/year and that’s okay.
42. Don’t be afraid to consoling, your mental health is so important!
43. Always have a plan before you go out.
44. Try not to spend weekends alone in your room…BE SOCIAL!
45. But do make time for yourself, that is hard to come by in college.
46. 8 a.m.’s really aren’t all that bad, take them.
47. Don’t wait until the last minute to ask for help.
48. Take advantage of free tutoring!
49. SHOW UP TO CLASS! (professors notice who shows up and who doesn’t)
50. Finals suck and there is no way around it.
51. MLA Format/Writing Guides will be your new best friend.
52. Go to as many sporting events as you can.
53. The chances of being productive on a Friday after 12 p.m. are 0/10.
54. Sundays are for studying!!!
55. Get a planner!
56. 2 a.m. food runs are completely normal.
57. Get your GPA up as high as you can so you don’t have to play catch up later.
58. Studying in your dorm doesn’t usually work out well.
59. Study in the Library (club lib) or find a quiet coffee shop.
60. Don’t be a messy roommate… that’s just rude.
61. Don’t get scared by all of the terrible roommate stories, they really aren’t that bad.
62. You don’t have to be best friends with your roommate.
63. Go and visit friends at other colleges just to see what it is like.
64. Spontaneous road trips are always a good idea.
65. Your greatest memories will be made when you least expect it.
66. Stop living for the weekend and live in the moment.
67. Find a church asap (if you’re religious)
68. Gameday is a holiday, celebrate accordingly.
69. If you’re in a relationship/friendship that is dragging you down… end it!
70. You’ll miss your pets back home.
71. You will have a newfound love for people walking their dogs. “Sir, can I pet your dog? Please.”
72. You will be asked “What’s your name? What’s your major? What year are you?” at least twice a day. Get creative with your responses.
73. You will need to know your student I.D. so just go ahead and memorize it.
74. It’s okay to always be the D.D.
75. Always have a D.D. or call an Uber.
76. Having fun doesn’t mean there must be alcohol involved.
77. Avoid lofting your bed at all costs.
78. Pay attention to where you park… Campus police doesn’t play.
79. Honor the silent floor of the library
80. Always walk your schedule before classes start.
81. Scheduling your classes back to back isn’t usually a good idea.
82. Get to know your college town.
83. Good time management skills will serve you well.
84. Sleep is important but don’t sleep through your whole weekend… that’s when all the fun happens.
85. Learn to drink your coffee black, it will make your life easier.
86. Don’t become caffeine dependent.
87. Make friends with guys/girls because you will need dates to lots of events.
88. Learn how to say “NO."
89. Always set an alarm when you take a nap!
90. When you do go home, home won’t feel quite like home anymore.
91. Saying goodbye to college friends really sucks.
92. Make friends with upper classmen, they probably have some good advice to offer.
93. Try not to spend all of your money on food.
94. You will probably spend all your money on food.
95. Living in a dorm will make you question how some people were raised.
96. ^^^but still be respectful of how people were raised.
97. There are squirrels everywhere.
98. Always carry an umbrella.
99. Be mindful of where you park, campus police love to hand out parking tickets.
100. Have fun!!!