I’ve been living on my own in NYC for a little over three years now. Coming from the small town of Lafayette, Indiana, I thought I would attend Purdue University or another state school and stay close to home. When I decided to leave all my friends and family and move to a new city to live with strangers, I wasn’t sure how I was going to make it. After these past few years, I’ve learned a thing or two that I wish someone would have told me at the beginning.

Here are 11 pieces of advice I've learned since I moved away from home:

1. You have to put yourself out there.

Coming from a small town, I grew up around the same people and have had the same friends since the sixth grade. I didn't really know what it was like to open up to new people and make new friends. When I moved away, I realized that in order to build new relationships, I needed to join clubs, volunteer, start conversations and invite people to hang out. You have to put in the effort in order to get something out of it.

2. Remember the past, but don’t be afraid to move on.

This is one thing I still struggle with. I loved high school and I loved being surrounded by people I'd known forever and who loved me unconditionally. When I often find myself homesick or nostalgic for the past, I have to remind myself almost every day to cherish those memories, but to move on and be present in the moment.

3. Just take it one day at a time.

When I was about to make the move 800 miles away from home, my mom would comfort me by saying, “just take it one day at a time." I had to remember that nothing is permanent and I could always move home. Ever since then, that has been my life philosophy. When you just take things day-by-day, it makes things less overwhelming and more manageable. If you can just get through one day, you can get through anything.

4. It's OK to feel uncomfortable.

If you've made the big leap to a new city and new school like I have, you may have realized that you're not going to get anything out of it unless you continue to step out of your comfort zone. There’s probably a reason you left your hometown. You wanted something more and you wanted to learn and grow as a person. That's never an easy task and it will sometimes make you feel uncomfortable but it will all be worth it.

5. Call your parents.

It can be an easy thing to forget to do during the hustle and bustle of daily life, but when you're feeling down, or just need someone to talk to, giving your parents a call will be just what you needed. They taught you everything that you know and they’re probably the reason you made it to wherever you are, so don't get too busy for them.

6. Let the roadblocks challenge you, but not bring you down.

Wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, it definitely won’t be easy. Life is hard and isn’t fair, but it’s how you handle the situations life throws at you that makes all the difference. You have to stay positive and let the hardships become your motivation to keep pushing through.

7. Embrace opportunities.

You never know what one opportunity might lead to. We are in our prime age to try new things and figure out what we want to do with our lives. Embrace opportunities, which will lead to new adventures.

8. Get a job you like.

I'm not saying you should be too picky, but at this point in your life, when you're trying to pay your way through college just needing some extra cash, don't stay in a job if you hate it. If it causes more stress than it's worth, there are plenty of other restaurants to apply to or stores to work at.

9. Take advantage of what’s around you.

Use your connections. Visit museums with your student discount, make a video with the free software in the media lab, read a book from the library. You're paying a lot of money for your education and now is the time to take advantage of it.

10. Balance is key.

When it comes to juggling relationships, your social life, along with work, extra curricular activities, school and homework, plus your own physical health and well-being, balance is key. Now is the time to learn good time management skills and to prioritize your every-day activities.

11. Take it all in.

Last, but not least, enjoy it. Take advantage of each day and appreciate the little things. Although it comes with many challenges, moving away from home will open up your eyes and help grow into the person you're meant to be.