1. The work load between high school and college is not equal

If you're anything like I was in high school, you thought that you were working so hard every day, and you were tired because you always had homework or other extracurricular activities. You believed that college was going to live up to its stereotype and you would spend your time sleeping until the late afternoon and stuffing your face with microwave dinners. Ah, yes, we were all so naive. In college, you work all throughout the day: homework in the morning before classes, studying at the library late at night, study dates at lunch with your friends. The three-page papers you wrote in high school pale in comparison to the 10-page papers you write now. The five-minute presentations that you managed to bullshit your way through in high school is not going to cut it when you are faced with a 45-minute presentation on why you will have a bright future.

2. Waking up at 6:30 a.m. in high school is not easier than waking up for an 8 a.m. class.

When your schedule rolls out the summer before freshman year begins, and you see that your earliest class begins at 8 a.m., you get excited because you are so used to waking up at 6:30 a.m. for high school. Calm down. I promise you that after a summer of waking up at whatever time you please, and after adjusting to the idea of freedom in school, 8 a.m. will start feeling like the new six.

3. You will be hungry at the most random times.

This paragraph includes a special shout out to my awesome roommate who would sometimes wake up in the middle of the night, feel hungry, jump down from her bed, and proceed to eat a bag of chips at all hours of the night. One of the best memories I have from this year is when my mother made the two of us chicken parm, and we both got so hungry at 1 a.m. that we scarfed down our entire portion. Eat! It may not be the best thing to do at 1 a.m. when you have an 8 a.m. the next day, but at least it's enjoyable.

4. You will make some of the most amazing friends.

I went into my freshman year believing that I already had the best friends a girl could ask for at home. So sure, I would make some friends at school, but my real friends would be at home. Boy was I wrong. Yes, my friends at home are still absolutely incredible, and I love them with all my heart, but I also happened to make some great friendships at school. Since we live at school for nine months out of the year, it is important to find people that will make you feel at home and will be there for you no matter what: a SpongeBob to your Patrick. For example, this year I was freaking out about a huge midterm exam and my "Patrick" came over at 2 a.m. to cry and eat Doritos with me. College is where you find the weirdoes that you've been missing your whole life.

5. You might still have no idea what you want to do.

This is perfectly okay. As of right now, I have a major and I have a general idea of what field I would like to be in for the rest of my life, but I have absolutely no freaking clue as to what I want to do with my degree. I know that college is where you study for the rest of your life, but who's to say that by the end of year one you have to have a set plan? It is okay to experiment with new ideas and new passions. You might even accidentally fall into something that ends up working out for you. College is the time to experience new things and learn about yourself, so don't close yourself off to only one idea. Experience everything that school has to offer because it only comes around one time.