As my first semester of college comes to an end, it leaves me wondering where the last few months have gone. With finals week approaching, things are starting to get crazier around here. Students are counting down the days until it's finally time to take that last final exam and be home for the holidays. College has already taught me so much about myself, and I'm only about 1/8 into it.

1. Coffee is good.

Like realllyyyy good.

2. Any form of caffeine is good.

All the caffeine, please!

3. With limited food choices, try to eat as healthy as possible.

Cookies, ice cream, pizza...try to have a salad sometimes.

4. College is truly so much better than high school.

Your schedule is better, you get to live with your best friends, need I say more?

5. Visits home are fun, yet confusing.

Is home your hometown, or is home where you go to school? Neither one feel exactly like "home" anymore.

6. You miss your little siblings.

A trip home will make you appreciate them, but you'll be reminded of why you were so ready to leave for college.

7. Your college friends are true friends.

They see you at your worst and still love you. They make a tiny room feel as close as possible to home. You're with them practically 24/7, and now you can't imagine how you would get through college without them.

8. College classes are challenging.

Don't expect to get an A on an exam without studying for a couple hours every night. It's not as simple as those high school tests you could push off studying for (or not study at all...guilty).

9. Some gen eds are absolutely ridiculous and will make you question why you are in school.

Just wondering, why do I need a music appreciation class for my business major?

10. The weekends are awesome.

I'll just leave it at that.

11. You miss your friends from high school.

However, it's so fun to visit them at their own college and meet their new friends.

12. Find a balance of studying and going out.

That balance is important for success.

13. Alone time can be good.

You'll sometimes miss the days of being able to get in your car and go run errands or just go for a drive. Being surrounded by friends all the time has it's perks, but it's rare that you're ever alone.

14. The holidays feel different when you're away from your family.

Not having a Christmas tree within a mile radius is quite different than having one right in your living room. Try to decorate your dorm to make the holiday spirit still feel alive while you're suffering through finals.

15. Milkshakes from the dining hall are perfection in a plastic cup.

A little milk, a little soft serve, mix it all together and you're golden.