Being away from home is a lot harder than I thought it would be. I thought I’d pack my stuff up and move into my dorm and be at ease with being completely independent for the first time. I’ve always considered myself to be a pretty organized person, but I quickly found out that being organized doesn’t help with the things you cannot control. So far, one of the most important things I’ve learned is that college is about learning to deal with curve balls that life throws you while simultaneously writing three essays and studying for two exams. Here are a few other things I’ve learned so far as a freshman in college:

1. Things don’t always go the way you planned.

2. Being home sick is a very real thing.

3. When you do get a chance to go home, make the most of it.

4. It is okay to feel like you don’t know what you’re doing. That’s how you learn.

5. If you think everyone else knows what they’re doing, odds are they are probably better at pretending that they know what they’re doing than you are yet.

6. You’re not perfect and neither is anyone else.

7. You’re going to feel overwhelmed sometimes. Just take a deep breath.

8. You’re going to want to order takeout a lot, try not to.

9. The freshman fifteen is also a real thing.

10. Take some time for yourself. Spending all your time on school work isn’t going to help you; it’s going to drain you. You’re only one person.

11. Spend time with the people around you, you never know how long they’ll be around.

12. Do what makes you happy. If you’re unhappy, change it.

13. Don’t be afraid to speak up. That’s why you’re here.

14. You’re going to get sad sometimes, and that’s okay. Eat some ice cream, cry it out, and then start over. Tomorrow is a new day.