Choosing a college to go to can be a really hard process. You have no idea how you are going to feel once you get there, so you are pretty much flying blind while choosing and hoping for the best. There are a few things that I wish is had known about myself, and college, before I went ahead and choose a school to go to.

1. You don't have to pick your school specifically based on your major.

I only applied to colleges that had the major I thought I had wanted to pursue, but three semesters in I had already changed my major three times. If you really love a school but they don't have your major, just apply! You never know how you are going to feel when it comes time to pick the college you want to attend.

2. Your home friends will always be there.

I know in this day where FOMO is extremely real you are going to miss your friends from home and wish you were there all the time. Don't! You have your whole life to hang out with your friends from home but you only have four years to make college unforgettable. I know you might feel like you are cheating on your friends from home but they will always be there, make new friends, you'll be happier that way,

3. Apply to colleges regardless of money.

Some colleges may seem so out of reach because of their price tag, but apply anyway. You might not end up going there but at least you gave it a shot and left the opportunity open. You could miraculously get most of the money in financial aid, or get awarded more scholarships than expected. You will always have those less expensive schools to fall back on but this is college, dream big, apply to the expensive school that you fell in love with.

4. Don't be afraid to go more than a few hours away from home.

Staying close to home is a safety blanket, being able to come home whenever you want may cause you to come home more often just because you can. Challenge yourself and go to a school more than a few hours away, in a different state even. You will be forced to stay there most weekends but you will have more of the college experience rather than come home every weekend.

5. What you put into it is what you get out of it.

You can just go to class and then back to your room every day, leave every weekend, and come back to do the same thing but you aren't going to get much out of college that way. Sure you're learning and you are doing good in class but that is not all that college is about. Get out there, make new friends, join a club, go to a party, what you put into your college experience is ultimately what you get out of it so make sure you are happy with the amount of effort being put in.