1. Don’t take an 8 a.m. Oh the dreaded 8 a.m. Come on guys, most of us woke up before 7:00 every day for school for 12 years, so three times a week wont kill ya. Filling my mornings with classes has made for the most relaxing afternoons where I can soak up the sun and not have to worry about the 5 p.m. class that cuts into my Ramen noodle time. Rise and shine people.

2. Read the text book and you’ll be fine. Yes, this isn’t high school anymore and the teachers don’t spell out the context in big letters for you, but you need to go beyond the text book. I took advice from the sophomore frat guy who said, “Just read the chapter and you’re good to go,” and I was very, very, not good to go. Make some flash cards, ask some questions, make a study guide and you’re set.

3. Dobbs is good. Compared to Gumby’s when you’re sober, yes, Dobbs is delicious. But compared to my mom's chicken parm – disgusting. A girl can only eat so many turkey wraps and ice cream cones.

4. Freshman 15. Understatement. Have you heard of the Mizzou 22? It's real, and it's dangerous. 

5. No one cares about you in college. Now this one is somewhat true. People don’t care about you if you don’t care about them. Don’t go to class? Your professor doesn’t care the next time you’re sick during a quiz. Don’t reach out to the kids on your floor? Don’t expect them to ask you to go out with them. But if you show you are a dedicated student, Mizzou’s faculty will set you up with success. As Professor Wayne Keene said during a business seminar, “this is the last time you are surrounded by people who want you to succeed.” Embrace this and show these people some love.

6. Professors will never know your name. Have you tried introducing yourself? They appreciate that. They are people too. 

7. Pomping sucks. This one is also partially true. Although my hands cramp from rolling papers for three straight hours and fraternity basements smell like garbage – I am making hours upon hours of memories with my beautiful sorority sisters. The loud music and countless laughs while sharing the misery of pomping creates a bond like none other. Thank you Homecoming and Pomp Leaders for introducing me to some of my best friends for life.

8. There are four-day weekends every week…said the student failing nine of his twelve hours. Did I make my point? 

9. Riding your bike to class is weird. If getting to Waters from Laws in 6 minutes is weird then I don’t want to be normal. To all of you bike riders who get crap for almost running over us don’t take it personally, we are just jealous. 

10. Don’t be so weird. Okay maybe I’m the only one my friends preached this to – but I’ve been at Mizzou for six weeks and I’ve never been weirder. I’m surrounded by amazing, outgoing, free-spirited super weirdos and we all run around doing weird things together. So jump on the "weirdo" bandwagon and you'll probably fit in better at Mizzou.

11. You’re on your own. Although you don’t have mom to wake you up for class and cook you dinner, you are far from alone. For the first time in my life I am completely immersed in people, 24/7. Whether it's my 90 pledge sisters or the girls in my floor who bust in my room at 2 a.m., I am never alone. And I couldn’t love it more. When you’re cramming for a test, at least 20 other kids from your class are too. When you’re crying over your ex-boyfriend, call up 10 of your sisters because they definitely are too. College is a time to find yourself and I’ve been forced to grow up faster than I ever imagined, but I am not doing it alone.