With the end of my undergraduate career on the horizon, I often find myself contemplating the last four years and all the life lessons I would have learned, some the easy way...and some the not so easy way. Looking back on it all, there's nothing I would change necessarily, since everything that happened lead me to be the person I am today. However, there are definitely some things I wish I could have told 18 year old me.

1) Try not to worry too much about making best friends the first day.

You've just moved in and cried since mom just left - now is not the time to also worry about making life long friends too. This isn't to say that it's impossible to make amazing connections that first day, but it also doesn't mean you have to. I made some of my best friends my second year of college. The truth is you never know when or where you're going to meet the most incredible people of your life, so there's no use worrying about it when you already have a million things on your mind.

2) Wear what makes you feel comfortable, not necessarily what makes you fit in.

You're from New York, Shana - a place where Lily Dresses and Chick-fil-a don't exist. Just because everyone around you has Hunter Boots and a million other things that are clearly expensive and something you've never even heard of does not mean you have to spend your first paycheck on a dress you secretly think is hideous. Confidence is the best accessory you can wear, so don't feel pressured to straighten your hair to death and find the perfect pair of salmon colored pants in an attempt to mix in well with the crowd.

3) It's okay not to fit in exactly with any one group right away.

It's okay not to have a 'clique' right away. You've always loved to play lacrosse, but this is college and you told yourself you'd expand interests and take risks and sometimes that means floating in between groups. Don't let your ability to fit in multiple places lead you to believe that you don't fit in anywhere. Give it time, and everything will fall into place.

4) It's okay to go out...

I mean this is what college is for right? Don't let the fear of being awkward or not 'living up' to your high school preconceptions of what college would be like keep you from enjoying yourself and saying yes to hanging out with some new people.

5) But it's also okay to stay in.

That all being said, never feel sorry or ashamed from wanting to stay in and spend time with the roomies or just spend time with yourself. Staying out to 2am is nice, until it's 9am and you're running late to class. While going out is fun, if you're not feeling it - don't go! There's no rule that says you'll be socially exiled forever for missing one party one Thursday night.

6) Things between you and your high school friends will change, and that's okay.

College is a very different experience for everyone. You'll change and that's okay... actually, that's better than okay; that's the point. That being said, not everyone at home will change or won't change in the same way you have. While college is a new beginning in your life, it is also in some ways an ending of the previous chapter of your life. Your relationship with your friends back home will change, and that's natural, because you've changed. But this isn't always a bad thing.

7) Push yourself to do and try new things.

Just because you weren't great at Spanish, doesn't mean you'll automatically fail German. Just because you couldn't draw a decent Physics diagram, doesn't mean you can't paint a kick ass poster. The point is that college is a time to push the limits of yourself and try things outside of your comfort zone. You never know what you may find you're actually amazing at!

8) Learn from anyone and everyone you can.

College is a time for learning and that means learning how to ask for help. Don't be afraid to approach a professor or a student leader you look up to and ask for their help, advice, life story, or whatever it is your interested in. No this doesn't make you look silly or desperate. Networking is a key skill, which can make your life a million times easier. So don't shy away from these learning opportunities, but instead embrace them. You're never bothering these people - often time people love taking five or ten minutes to talk about themselves and help others if you ask them politely.

9) College is a time to learn how to take care of yourself. That means learning how to eat right...

Just because the dining hall serves french fries and ice cream at every meal does NOT mean you're supposed to eat them at every meal. You're not working out six times a week anymore, so that means eating McDonald's every day is out of the questions. Also be care about those late night orders and adult beverages - they hide a lot more calories than you may think.

10) ...and getting enough sleep.

Sleep is important. Very very important. In fact, little did you know, not getting enough sleep - yeah, that gets you sick. It's tempting to stay up all night binge watching Netflix with your friends or going out or studying for an exam, not getting enough sleep can cause a lot more issues than its benefits. I'm not saying each and every night needs to be a 10 hour night, but try and make sure to get those all important zzz's in when you can.

11) On that note, you should probably work out every now and again too.

It's easy to forget to exercise when for the last six years you've played two sports a year, meaning working out six times a week without ever thinking about it. Not only does working out give you endorphins and make you happy (thanks Elle Woods), it's also an important part of a healthy life style. Working out gives you more energy and in general just makes you feel better about yourself. This doesn't mean you have to get up at 8am every day and do an hour of cardio before class, but going for a run every now and again wouldn't kill you.

12) Try and call your family at least once a week.

They miss you, probably more than you miss them, since they haven't embarked on this crazy new adventure called college. So try and give them a call every now and again, even if it's just to say hi and tell them you love them. These phone calls will become more important and necessary than you ever thought they would be.

13) It's okay to get stressed and ask for help.

College is stressful - that's just the way it is. Luckily, you don't have to do it all by yourself. Asking for help doesn't make you weak or even mean that you can't do it. It means that you're mature enough to realize when you have too much on your plate and you need help in order to succeed. Learning when to ask for help will not only be one of the most valuable lessons of your college life, it will help you in all aspects of your life.

14) You can accomplish anything you set your mind to - so dream big!

Don't let yourself become your own worst enemy. Remember that no matter how hard a goal may seem at first, you can accomplish incredible things, as long as you just set your mind to it.

15) Remember to enjoy it because it's over before you know it.

One day you're going to wake up and you're getting ready for commencement. No matter what happens in the coming years, embrace it all - the good and the bad - because before you know it, you're walking up to get your diploma and start the next chapter of your life. College goes by before you know it, so don't forget to enjoy it while it's happening!