In high school, everything was set for me. I had my friends, sports, activities and classes. Everything that I needed to be happy at that time was conveniently scheduled into my day. We had a lunch hour, study hour to do homework, gym class and sports, which provided daily exercise, and time to see friends. So leaving that “perfect” little world that I had spent the past four years in was quite the eye opening experience. College is a new world. It is independence, growing up, time management, classes, and everything that is going to actually affect the near future. My friends dispersed all over the states and I no longer saw my family every day. There was no longer a schedule every day that incorporated everything I needed to get done. It was a change, which I will forever be thankful I got to experience.

For me, college has been the perfect stepping stone into the “real world”. I was never completely on my own, but it was definitely no more high school. And so naturally, college changed me.

1. I had to learn how to make friends again.

This was more difficult then I remembered.

2. I had to figure out how to cook.

The meal plan was available, but cafeteria food gets old and my budget is limited. So learning to cook was important.

3. I saw how much more there is to the world.

I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad and be out of the country for the first time. I realized how much I have yet to experience.

4. I learned to study. In high school we were always given study guides and aids to help us prepare for tests.

In college, it is using what you learned in class and figuring out how to make a study guide for yourself.

5.

I had to start working out on a regular basis.

I was no longer active in school sports and had to learn how to workout by myself.. on my own time.

6. I learned to worry about myself.

I realized there is no need to try and impress other people. Do what makes you happy, do you.

7. I realized that people do not always mean what they say.

The liars, cheaters, users…they don’t matter. Just have to accept and beware that they are out there.

8. I missed home and it hit me that I only have a small amount of time left living at home with my family. For the rest of my life..

9. I learned not to chase.

People who want to be in your life will be there. And those that are meant to be there.. won’t make the chase so impossible.

10. I realized only I can make myself truly happy.

11. I learned that not everyone will always be your friend.

People will leave you, and the people that you thought were your friends turn out to be the exact opposite.

12. I had to do my laundry on a regular basis.

Often times I thought it was easier to buy more clothes then to wash the dirty ones until I saw my bank account.

13. I learned how to live with people other then my family members.

I quickly realized that not everyone does things the same way as I do, so I had to be open to adjusting.

14. I learned that I need to prioritize my money.

It actually doesn't grow on trees and there are certain things that I need to save my money for.

15. I became independent.

I learned to do more on my own and be OK with it. I started to enjoy alone time and became more comfortable being me.