As high school graduations come and go, I remember the day that I threw my cap in the air, excited and nervous for the amazing ride yet to come. I was well prepared in some aspects: I knew where I was going, I had chosen a roommate, and had graduated with a 4.0. In other aspects, I was lost. High school taught me where the mitochondria in a cell was and the Pathagreon Theorem, but it didn't teach me all the lessons I have since learned, and wish I had learned sooner.

1. High school is not that hard

I remember stressing and crying over classes in high school only to find that my easiest college class was harder than my hardest high school class. Sure, if a test grade in high school will destroy your GPA it is okay to stress about it, but for the most part, your high school struggles are hardly comparable to college ones.

2. The freshman 15 is all too real

You have access to so much food. You have the ability to go buy yourself Chipotle every day if you want, or to buy and eat an entire cake. Do not take advantage of these abilities. Do your best to eat at least remotely healthy and take advantage of your university's gym.

3. Freedom comes at a cost

Money flies away in college. Not having anyone to keep a tight reign on you and your spending habits can take its toll. I felt like I needed to take full advantage of my ability to go shopping every weekend and getting food at the mall every time. My current bank account highly suggests against that.

4. Being away from home is really hard

You'll be thrilled with your freedom initially, but being away from a place and the people you've known for 18 years takes its toll. Call home a lot, and realize that pretty much everyone feels the same, even if they don't show it.

5. Alcohol isn't the only way to have fun

That's what college is all about, right? Wrong. I'm not saying to never drink or to never go out, but make sure you find ways to have fun without the presence of alcohol, and make sure you make friends that you can have sober fun with, too.

6. You'll fall out of touch with high school friends

And it is more than okay. Your truest friends will stick around, but your best friends in life will come from college. If you fall out, try to revive it and if it doesn't work, let it go. Moving on is healthy.

7. It is more than okay to be undecided in your major

Coming from a person on her 4th major in as many semesters, know that it is okay to not be declared. Take classes in many different fields, find what you're passionate about. Don't stop until you find something that makes you excited to wake up every day.

8. Wait to buy your textbooks

Textbooks cost so much money and all too often, you don't even use them. Wait until it is absolutely essential to buy them. Also, using sites like OhioLink can help you get books for free. Yes, it actually works.

9. Dorms are very small

The 90 tops you brought are not going to fit in your closet, and you have about 3 square feet of wall space. Pack accordingly.

10. Skipping class, in the end, isn't worth it

It feels so nice to sleep through your morning class, but it isn't going to feel so nice when you don't have the information you need or you missed an important announcement or assignment. If you have "freebie" skip days, save them in case of sickness, emergency or another acceptable reason. Don't miss a free skip because you're too tired to get out of bed. (Coming from a person who skipped just because to use my "freebies" and then got mono.)

11. Its okay to cry, a lot

I cried in the shower for the first two weeks of school. It really is hard to move to a new place with entirely new people, but eventually, you'll get used to it. Know that it is okay to cry and it is okay to be scared and uncomfortable, but also know that you'll get through it.

12. Eating alone isn't a bad thing

I ate very infrequently at the beginning of my freshman year because I'd only eat when a friend could go with me. Now I eat alone 99% of the time. I use the time to clear my head, write articles or do homework. The television portrayal of people who eat alone as "lame" or "friendless" is entirely incorrect.

13. Taking a nap a day sometimes isn't enough

Doubling or tripling up on naps is a survival skill.

14. The things you thought were the end of the world in high school will cease to matter

I remember sobbing because I played poorly in my senior night softball game, or freaking out because I got a C on a test. In the moment, those things seemed to be the complete and utter end of the world, but eventually you won't even remember them.

15. Get involved

I mean it. After planning to join a sorority and then dropping quickly, I felt like there was nothing else left for me. I spent my entire freshman year involved in absolutely nothing. Not only will organizations pad your resume, it also is where you'll make most of your best friends.

16. No one cares who you used to be

This is a new place. These are new people. No one cares if your were prom queen or if you were the captain of the chess team. No one cares if you were an all-star athlete or a 4.0 student or a drama geek. This is your time to reinvent yourself, or improve upon what you already are. This is your time to become who you've always wanted to be.

Good luck!