Your first semester of college is just the foundation to your adulthood, it can also make or break your college career. You learn so much about yourself, people around you, friendships and even the ups and downs of love. The list can be endless, but here are the most important things that I learned during my first semester:

1. Home will never be the same.

Although home will always be where your family is, it contains all your childhood memories and it’s even where your best dog friend lives. Home is not home anymore. Everyone is beginning their new chapters in life and that is exactly what you are doing. Home is where your college town is and where your friends are. Learn to embrace it.

2. Your childhood best friend, is not your college best friend.

Your childhood best friend may be the person who you used to call when you were crying, or who helped pressure you into having your very first kiss. You think that you know everything about each other. You were together through the flat out ugly stage and stayed by each others side through the awkward stage. You guys are a true definition of a ride or die. But your college best friend is something more. They see the good, bad and everything in between. You are each others family and only consistent thing that there is to depend on. You will easily find yourself having a bond with this person that no one can compare to. Not even that childhood best friend.

3. Not everyone you meet are your true friends.

There are people you will come across that will never genuinely care about you or your well being. They aren't kidding when they say that you are on your absolute own in college. Find those good friends and make sure to cherish their company. Hold each other accountable and depend on them. People like that are ones to keep around.

4. Never party alone.

Wherever you go, always have someone sober with you. I have seen people get extremely drunk only to have no one take care of them or even drive them home. It is not worth it to put yourself at risk, let alone putting others at risk. And always, always use the buddy system. Especially when under the influence of alcohol.

5. Know your limits.

It is always important to know your limits. The first and most important reason for knowing your limits is safety. It is easy to get carried away with drinking and you never want to over do it. Also, you may give yourself a bad reputation if you drink passed the limits of what your body can handle. Don't ever allow yourself get too drunk so that you cannot control yourself.

6. It’s okay to say no.

When your friends are wanting to go out and you have a huge test tomorrow, it’s okay to say no. Don't ever be afraid to stay in alone and study. It'll pay off when you get an A on the test. Although it may be hard staying in without your friends, it is always worth it. It is important to have your priorities straight. Work before fun

College is not hard. Although you can find yourself falling behind if you do not properly manage your time. This involves balancing your time between social life, sleep and school work.

8. Be sensitive towards your mom

With us college students, we are eager to grow up and be independent and sometimes we forget how hard that is on our mothers. They often still see the child in us and can’t help but want to continue to baby us. Even though it’s annoying, you have to let her. It'll make her happy.

9. Don’t look for love.

Let love come to you. You are barely a legal adult, don't rush to settle down. Experience college with nothing stopping you. Have your fun. Love will come to you when it is your time.

10. Don’t be scared to step out of your comfort zone.

College is all about finding yourself. Creating who you want to be and discovering what you enjoy. You are in a whole new world full of new things. Without trying something new, you may not ever find yourself. Do not scared to step outside of your comfort zone, you may find yourself enjoying it.

11. Go out of your way to make friends.

It is important to remember that you aren't alone. All freshman are in the same boat as you, looking for friends. Sit in your dorm lobby and introduce yourself to people or go to the rec and make a friend. I promise you, people won’t think you're weird. All freshman are desperate for friends. My list goes on about the different ways I’ve managed to make friends and I’m not ashamed.

12. Explore your new town.

Make sure to take spontaneous road trips around your new town. Some of my best memories involves the back roads we find and get lost on. Explore, discover and learn.

13. Always remember where you come from.

Like they say, “You can’t know where you're going unless you know where you’ve been.” Never forget where you've been. Remember your home and who made you into who you are now. You may be on to bigger and better things, but never forget where you come from.

College can and will be the best time of your life, make the most of it!