1. Motivation

It is essential to have motivation in your armory when it comes to battling the enemy that is laziness. We all are drawn to it, and it's so easy to succumb to, but being motivated in school is the biggest key to success you could have. Without motivation, there is no point in really even being there.

Now, I'm not saying we don't all lose motivation every once in a while, but if you have zero motivation driving you to push past that lazy feeling and reach a goal, you won't be able to succeed. Sometimes the best motivation is even having a goal to begin with. By saying you want to graduate, you now know that you need to complete all of the requirements in order to actually graduate. From that goal you may even narrow it down to more specific goals such as graduating with honors or finishing college having received all A's and B's (even though C's do get degrees).

Whatever the case may be, having some form of a goal is important because motivation is going to be your biggest helper during tough college days.

2. Friendliness

Friendliness may seem like a silly thing to add to this list. However, when you are away from home at college, you don't actually realize how much human interaction you are missing out on when you are no longer living at home. All the easy, day-to-day interactions you had with your parents are no longer there, and you will find yourself wanting to fill the empty space with conversation.

So be friendly! Say hi to your classmates, your professors, your roommates; start a conversation with someone if you like their shirt. Anything you can do to interact with people is great, and you'll be building new relationships and maybe even making some new friends along the way.

3. Respect

Whether it's for your professors, your roommates, or just the people around you, respect is so important in college. If you want people to like you and respect you, you'll first need to respect them. Don't be playing super loud music that shakes your walls; I promise you most roommates and neighbors are not cool with it, especially at 3 a.m. Remember to treat others they way you would want to be treated, unless you know how they would like to be treated.

4. Dignity

There are going to be days where your hair is a mess, you have bags underneath your eyes, and you walk into class with a trenta cup of iced coffee from Starbucks wearing sweats. It happens to the best of us. Own it. People in college are hanging around the library at late hours studying with their comfiest blanket because they wish they could be snuggled up in bed. You are working hard to get an education and there are going to be days where you don't look picture perfect, and that's okay. Keep your head held high, laugh it off, and continue to get things done in the best way you know how.

5. Boldness

This is the time where you really begin to feel like an adult. If you have thoughts, ideas, or goals, don't be afraid to ask questions in order to achieve them. Don't be afraid to talk to that person you sit next to in class because maybe they're looking for a friend, too. Go to your professor's office hours and ask his or her opinion on how to better build your resume so that you can get your dream job; they've been in your position before and may have some advice. Whatever you what to achieve, now isn't the time to be shy - be bold in working towards what you want.