College has been pretty great so far. I have made new friends, I have established a routine, and I am becoming a more adventurous version of myself. I am so grateful I have the opportunity to attend college because it has helped me become an independent woman.

I have been in school since I was three years old, so I do know what the essential things are to survive and succeed in school. However, I have recently discovered that there are major different school necessities between a high school and a college student. Here are a few examples:

1. Coffee is a necessity.

As many people know, I love my coffee. I love it so much that I have a coffee cup tattooed on my ankle. I never realized college was going to be so exhausting; by 2pm, I am ready for a nap, but unfortunately, that never happens due to my never-ending homework assignments. Having my morning, afternoon, and sometimes evening cup of coffee is necessary to get me through the rest of the school day.

2. Sleep is critical.

In high school, I was able to go to school, attend club meetings, and go to work on a total of five hours of sleep. Now, I can barely even function if I do not get a minimum of seven hours of slumber. I now understand that college is a lot of work, and to be able to have a productive day, I need a sufficient amount of sleep.

3. Studying is important.

When I would study for exams in high school, I would review the night before or the day of the test. I have learned that in college, I do not have as many exams like I used to in high school, so midterms and final exams are pretty much worth everything. I now look over test material days and even a week in advance before any exam. I have learned that studying is probably the most important thing a college student can do to succeed.

4. Having “me” time is essential.

I am a firm believer in having “me” time. After a long week of school, I always give myself one night on the weekend to just be able to relax, binge watch six hours worth of Grey’s Anatomy, and to just stay in bed wrapped up like a cocoon. Allowing yourself to de-stress is a vital part of college because at times, the workload can become quite intense. If you have not had your “me” time, GO DO IT!