1. You have to worry about yourself first.
Its nice to think of others first, but in all honesty you have to take a step back and think about yourself. College has a way of overwhelming a person, and if you constantly are worried about everyone else, who is going to be the one to worry about you?
All the drama of high school really doesn't seem to matter anymore. You are in the real world now (well closer than you were before). Petty drama just doesn't seem important, and quite frankly is a waste of your time.
No one is there to do things for you anymore, you are all on your own. Act like it. If something needs to get done, you have to do it for yourself. If you have a big test, no teacher is going to give you the answers or prepare you like they did through high school. You won't get good grades unless you work for it.
4. The important people in your life have a way of sticking around.
It's really hard to go from seeing your high school friends everyday to now only seeing them on breaks, and talking to them over those spontaneous FaceTime calls. Don't sweat it too much though, you may not always talk, but once you do, you will pick up right where you left off. The important people in life are way harder to get rid of than you think.
Stress is normal, but you have to find your own way to handle it. Personally, the gym is my happy place. Figure out what allows you to just forget about everything, and make time for it. Your mental health is so important, and back to number one, you have to think about yourself first!
Sometimes (probably, always) you will not get enough sleep, or you are just physically exhausted because mentally you can't keep up. When and doubt, nap it out. A nap is always the answer.
7. Organization is key.
Life happens, whether you are ready for it or not. Stay organized, keep a calendar or five to remind you when assignments are due and when events are. Keeping a mental note won't do it anymore, you have way too much to remember, and so many things happen through the day that you are bound to forget, so just write it down.
Sometimes, you will struggle to fit in, and sometimes you may feel like you don't belong, but don't change who you are for anyone. Everyone is unique and eventually you will figure out where your place is. Just be yourself and the rest will follow.
9. You're not too old for Mommy and Daddy.
I know it seems like a struggle sometimes, calling mom and dad, adding on to that long to do list that never seems to end. A call once in a while to your parents will not only thrill them to hear your voice, but will make you feel better because they will always be your biggest supporters. As weird as it is to think about it, they have been in your shoes before. When they give you advice, you probably should take it.
You are not the same person as you once were, and that is okay, we all change. It's part of life. Sometimes you need to let go of people who are toxic, and that too is okay. Don't just go burning bridges though to see something burn, when you realize you no longer are satisfied with a relationship or friendship, when you both no longer rise each other up, burn it!
11. You are not invincible!
I don't care who you are, superman only exists in movies. As strong as you think you are, at times you will fall. After you just have to stand right back up and face what is ahead. And no matter who you are, know you have a tolerance, and that tolerance probably can not take eight tequila shots.
