Looking back on September 2015 and thinking about the person I used to be before I came to college is like looking back at a completely different person. I've learned so much about not only just me, but life in general, in a short time span of not even a full year.
1. The friends you make in college are the friends that are going to last a lifetime.
I have always heard people say this but I didn't really understand how college friends were going to be that different from high school friends. But the friends here see you at your worst, your best, your happiest, your saddest and everything in between. They're the ones who you'll text at two in the morning upset about something, or stressed about a test and they'll offer to walk around campus with you until you calm down. They'll be there to comfort you after you failed a test or paper you worked really hard on. And they'll definitely be there to grab food with you at literally all times of the day, and jump right on board when you say at 9 on a Monday night, "I'm hungry, let's get Dominoes." They're there for everything and anything, and I feel in my heart every day I'll have these same friends six years from now.
2. No one cares what you're doing ever. Don't be so self conscious. Literally no one cares.
In high school, maybe you would think twice about wearing a risky outfit. Or taking a nap in the library. Or sitting alone to eat lunch. But in college, get this... no one cares. You can walk in to the dining hall and eat a meal alone if all your friends are busy. You can dress like you just came off the runway or you can just roll out of bed in the morning and walk out the door. No one cares. Do you.
3. One bad grade on a paper or test is not going to ruin your life or future college career.
Let me tell you alllll about the first failing grade I got on a paper I worked extremely hard on. Contemplated dropping out of college for a solid six hours, cried a lot. But the first one is so not a big deal. Most professors definitely do not want to see you fail, and will go out of their way to tell you to come in during their office hours and offer you help. No one wants to see you fail. You don't have to go as far as dropping out of college, trust me.
4. Do not force yourself to go out and party every weekend.
Yes, it's so much fun to go out with your friends on a Friday or Saturday night. And if you feel like going out, go for it! But is it worth it if you have to actually talk yourself into getting dressed and going out when you don't want to? It's okay to tell your friends no so you can finish a paper, or you just want to binge watch Netflix alone. Take a break.
5. Being in a relationship is not your main priority.
I'm ashamed to admit it but one of my first thoughts getting to campus was "Wow. A whole new school full of cute, new guys." Looking back at that, I want to punch myself. You are not paying thousands of dollars in tuition to cry about dumb boys that don't care or stress about not getting a text back. Focus on your grades, for real.
6. Girls are gross.
I thought sharing a bathroom with a hall full of girls was going to be a piece of cake. WRONG. Girls can be the most vile creatures. They like not flushing toilets, they leave clumps of hair hanging off the walls of the shower, you know, typical relatable girly things. It's disgusting, and I don't even want to think about what goes on in boys bathrooms.
7. Think you're going to eat healthy? Nah.
Maybe this is just my school but it's ridiculously hard to maintain a healthy diet. What I wouldn't give for a fresh fruit bar. I think I eat eight burgers a week, it's awful. And stress eating is most definitely a thing. Am I hungry? No. Am I going to make 18 bagel bites and eat them all right now anyway? Yeah, I am.
8. You're going to miss your hometown.
Can't even count the times I said, "I can't wait to leave." Didn't look back when my parents drove away on move in day. I think it was Day 2 that I called my mom crying about how much I wanted to be home. You will miss that town you thought you couldn't wait to leave.
9. Your mom is your one true best friend.
I don't know about anyone else but my relationship with my mom has gotten so much stronger throughout my first year away from home. The mother-daughter relationship kind of fades away into a best friend relationship. She's the first person I call with good news, bad news, whatever kind of news. She makes the drive if I need food or something - granted the drive is only 45 minutes but she's literally come here just to bring me Starbucks and a piece of mail that was delivered home.
10. At least one of your hallmates will become one of your best friends.
Do you remember the one girl you maybe made eye contact with during those terrible orientation ice-breaker games with your hallmates? Bet you that you didn't think that a few months later you would be getting lunch with her on a daily basis or venting to her about everything. She's the one whose door you'll show up in front of because you need a break from your own room. It's pretty handy having a second room to run away to, and another someone who you can force to get food with you at all times of the day.
11. Living with a roommate.
If you're lucky enough to find a best friend within your roommate, it's amazing. It's like a forever sleepover. Granted, it's technically a forced friendship, but it's one of the best friendships you'll have. She'll put up with your attitude in the morning, share clothes AND food with you, order pizza with you literally whenever, be there at 2 am holding your hair back while you puke on an extra bad Friday night. She's basically an addition to your family.
12. Enjoy all of the "firsts" because they'll all be gone pretty soon.
Your first night out, your first college party, your first aced final, your college all nighter, all of the firsts. You won't experience them ever again, so take advantage of it and love every single minute of it.
