It was just not too long ago that I was sitting in a high school classroom counting down the days until graduation. I would tell myself that I was beyond ready to go to college and thought I had an idea of what was in store for me. Well it turns out that I was wrong. There were so many things that high school prepared me for, and many things that it did not. Now, sitting here today, I cannot believe how fast time has gone. I feel like my freshmen year has gone by faster than a blink of an eye. Even though it has gone by so quickly, I have been able to experience and learn many new things. Going to college has changed my views on many things from the value of friendships to the value of finding a quarter on the ground. Here are some of the things that college has taught me so far.

1. Make college your new home

I quickly found out that my campus does not have the best food. For a few weeks the only things that I ate from our school cafeteria were salads and pasta. I was spoiled from all the years of home cooked meals from my mom that the meals at school were not cutting it for me. It took me awhile to adjust to campus food, but it also taught me to appreciate the food I have been eating my whole life. I also learned to appreciate my home more and what my parents have done for me throughout the years. My parents have sacrificed so much for me and support me in everything I do. I cannot thank them enough for that. Finally, being on your own can be scary, but it is a good change It will help you grow as an individual in ways that you never expected. So even if you miss those home cooked meals and sleeping in your own bed, do not think college is all that bad. Just because it lacks the the things you have been comfortable with your entire life, does not mean that college is not the right fit for you. Eventually you’ll end up calling college home and love it just as much as the place you grew in.

2. Temporary friends are okay

At first, you befriend everyone you meet at college. It’s the first time you are on your own and you do not know anybody. Making friends is easy at college, it is keeping them that can be the difficult part. You can stay friends with someone for a few weeks or even a whole semester, but they might not always stay. It is possible that you could have even considered one of those people as “your best friend” but they still end up leaving. It’s important to remember it's okay if that happens because temporary friends can help you grow as much as a long term friend can. People will come and go but the ones that stick through you throughout college are the best, and you will learn to appreciate them wholeheartedly.

3. Say thank you if someone lends you a dollar

I am not saying that I struggle with manners; I am saying that someone lending a dollar to me now means more to me than when someone lent me a dollar before I came to college. One thing that everyone in this world can agree on is that college is extremely expensive, and that every penny counts. As I watched my bank account decrease throughout the semester, I soon started to appreciate the value of money and saving even more than I did before. Also, I learned about the value of my education and how important it is to do well in school. Not everyone has the chance to attend college because of how costly it is. I am lucky enough to have the chance to go, so it is very important to make every class count. I now appreciate the fact that I have the chance to go to class everyday, no matter how much I hate waking up for my 8 A.M. classes. So always remember, if someone lends you any amount of money, or even covers the cost of the pizza that time, to say thank you and mean it.

4. You are not alone

College is a wake up call no matter what high school you went to. The stress can become overbearing sometimes and the worry of not doing well enough to pass college lingers in your brain. Sometimes it may even appear that you are the only one struggling, but that is probably not the case. Everyone is as just as scared as you are. Many are unsure if they major they chose is the right pick for them, and some may not even know what they want to do yet. Just remember to not let the stress bring you down. Always remind yourself that you can do it and that you are good enough and many other people are going through what you are. As the years go on in college, it may become more overwhelming. It's good to think about the people in your life who have made it through college. They have gone through the same things you are probably experiencing now, but they made it through. It is not impossible to achieve your goals so just keep working hard and one day you’ll be walking across that stage being able to say that you made it.