College is the first step in the real world for young adults like me. It is a time to officially build the future and continue our education. We go to college to get a degree, but it is quite often forgotten that we get more out it than just a degree, and here's what those things are:

1. You meet new people

College allows students to experience having friends who come from numerous different backgrounds and cultures. Even though some may be temporary, this constant interaction with a diversity of people assists to prepare us for life after college, in the workplace.

2. You make forever friends

Finding people that you can call a friend is beneficial in college. It provides us with support, love, and someone who always understands what we are going through. This is extremely important because we are all struggling, broke college kids.

3. You learn how to be well-rounded

Most jobs look for people who are well-rounded, motivated and able to handle whatever life may throw at them. College teaches us to take on all of these stressful obstacles, creating indestructible workers.

4. You learn self-control

College is a time in life when you need discipline to survive. As a student, you must learn when to stop procrastinating, and get work done. This also includes situations like staying in because you know you need to study or even choosing between spending your last $5 on food or gas.

5. You realize how much you need your mom

College has taught me how much I should value my mom. She's always there to answer my questions, because moms know everything. "Hey mom, what's a W2?" "Do you think my dog misses me?" "How many inches are in a foot?"

6. You learn how to manage your money

Well, we learn how to manage our money only because we have very limited funds. This teaches us to prioritize and learn what is a necessity and what isn't.

7. You learn how to communicate

We not longer have our parents doing everything for us, therefore we learn to do things on our own. This includes making doctors appointments, taking your car for an oil change and even ordering your own food. It's a little hard at first.

8. You learn self-motivation

With there no longer being someone who reminds you about assignments, homework and studying, you learn to find that push within yourself. It is a time in life when your success depends on you, and you only.

9. You learn how to be independent

In college, 99 percent of the work is independent. This means no more group work, or anyone to copy off of. Even bills and keeping up with car maintenance, everything is purely up to you.

10. You learn time management

Most college students have jobs while participating in things like volunteer work, clubs and sororities or fraternities. It would be impossible to juggle all of these things lacking time management.

11. You learn how to respect your elders

College isn't like high school. You cannot get away with talking to your professor the way that many people talked to their teachers. Speak to your professor that way and you'll catch yourself kicked out of class.