I remember senior year flying by. It started with getting acceptance letters, crying because you do not want to make the wrong decision and realizing that you are about to be somewhat independent making decisions on your own. You were now going to be hours away from somewhere you had spent every day of your life.
College itself is stressful enough and moving away on top of that can be overwhelming. But, I can honestly say moving has been the most exciting experience and I could not have made a better decision. Even though college is hard it creates something you will never forget, whether that’s getting absolutely no sleep or the friends you make. Here are a few things I have learned since I moved to college.
1. How did I fit all of that into a car?
I don’t think anyone ever really understands how everything you own can fit into one car, it just does.
2. No one is going to stop you from eating that bowl of ice cream for the third time today.
Ice cream, cookies, Starbucks -- anything you name, we college kids have to get through the day somehow.
3. Don’t forget to get the toilet paper.
You will be surprised how easily this is forgotten.
4. Being alone isn’t the worst thing in the world.
You are going to have nights where you are by yourself or you feel like you no one is there for you. This is okay and this does happen. You might not have your family or dog to spend time with but this makes you a stronger person in the end.
5. A microwave can make almost any meal you need.
From ramen noodles to frozen pizza to even eggs, you will be surprised at what a microwave can do and how much time it will save you.
6. After a long of day of work and studying, you will spend time wondering if buying a snack will bring your bank account to $0.
Sadly, it probably will.
7. Things don’t bother you like they used to.
Maybe we just grow up and realize that it’s not the worst thing in the world.
8. There is always an excuse to go out and do something fun.
You never need an excuse to go out because the easiest thing to do is find a reason to go out. I think it’s harder to find a reason to sit down and write that paper due a few days later.
9. You thought you knew everything?
Yeah we actually know nothing. Sorry to the high school kids reading this.
10. Laundry isn’t fun and it never will be.
Never, ever, ever. Mom, please visit any time.
11. Nothing will replace your favorite restaurant back home.
Sometimes making a day trip home doesn’t seem like a bad idea if you can finally get some good food you have been missing.
12. You will find yourself missing things you never thought you would.
Who knew I would miss the familiarity of driving down the same road and seeing all of the same places and people?
13. You will even realize that you actually kind of loved where you live.
Maybe I did take my hometown for granted?
14. Saying goodbye to your pet might just be the death of you.
My dog is was what got me through the bad days, what am I supposed to now?!
15. You definitely took all the food you had in the pantry for granted.
“Mom, can you please send me some snacks?”
16. You will not stay friends with everyone from home and that is okay.
This can be one of the saddest things, but people grow up and apart. Just make sure you are doing what makes you happy because people do not always stay.
17. You forgot how to have good social skills to make new friends.
“I’m sorry I know I just stuttered way to much.”
18. Opportunities come that you never even knew existed.
Sometimes they fall out of the sky just like the food above.
19. You remember that you moved away to do something with your life and you could not be happier.
