My first semester of college was nerve-racking, exciting, stressful, but overall extremely rewarding. The college atmosphere is so unique and unlike anything you will experience during the course of your life. After experiencing one semester already, here are five things I learned and wish I knew in the fall when starting my college experience.

1. Everyone is in the same boat as you

Everyone is in the very same boat as you are your freshmen year of college. New school, new people, new environment. Everyone is nervous to start this foreign and exciting chapter in their lives. It is very intimidating, but by introducing yourself to people in your dorm hall and classes, you can help the adjustment to college life. Plus, friends make it all a little less scary and more enjoyable.

2. Time management

Finding a balance between classes, extracurricular activities, and studying hours is difficult in the beginning. Make sure to put a priority on going to classes EVERY day, and getting school work and studying done before anything else. Having a planner or online calendar is very helpful to make sure you know what needs to get done every day to avoid procrastination and pulling constant all-nighters.

3. Mom is NOT at college with you

Laundry? Meals? Dirty dorm room? Mom is NOT there to handle those things for you anymore. College is a big adjustment into the real world, which includes doing boring adult things such as weekly laundry loads, making sure you feed yourself three meals a day, and cleaning your room so it is liveable.

4. No one really cares what kind of person you were in high school

College is a fresh start for many people. No one really cares how many friends you had and whether or not you were in the "cool crowd" in high school. College is the time to figure out what kind of person you want to be and what kind of career you want to be in for the rest of your life. Take classes you would not normally take, join clubs that peak your interest, push yourself to talk to your dorm neighbors. It is easy to feel alone in college, but just by putting yourself out there, you can make the most out of your short time in such a unique environment.

5. College is hard

Adjusting to college life is hard. It is much different in comparison to the six and half hour school day when you were back in high school. Tests and papers are now eighty percent of your class grades, and no one is holding you accountable for getting work done other than you. If you are finding difficulty in a class, be pro-active and speak one-on-one with your professors or TAs to get help so you can be successful in the class — you are paying for the class with tuition! Once you find your balance between school work, classes, study time, and extracurricular activities, college, for the most part, is very enjoyable and can be one of the best times of your life.