Who knew you could learn so much in 9 months?! Here's what I learned my freshman year of college.

1. F.O.M.O. is real, don’t let the fear of missing out affect your schoolwork or your health.

2. The “Freshman 15” is not a joke...trips to the rec and salads at the dining hall are much needed.

3. Things are going to happen that you never would have expected, try to stay positive through it all.

4. Make as many connections as possible. The random person you said hi to the first day of orientation could end up being one of your best friends.

5. Residence hall laundry SUCKS, take full advantage of free, convenient laundry while you are at home.

6. Keep your door opened the first couple weeks of school, the people next door could end up being some of your best friends.

7. Greek life will change your life for the better, GET INVOLVED!

8. Wearing no makeup and big t-shirts every day becomes the norm, but dress up sometimes.

9. You will miss your family a lot, take advantage of FaceTime! Your family will give you the best advice and will make any bad day brighter.

10. Don’t lose touch with your high school friends, they know you better than anyone you have met in college.

11. Who you are best friends with at the beginning of the year may not be who you are best friends with at the end of the year, and that’s okay.

12. Go out! Some of the greatest memories of college are made on the weekends.

13. Whether you are a fan of coffee or not, it is a necessity.

14. If you are struggling with something, instead of stressing out, pray about it. God never fails.

15. Pay attention in class, it will make the night before a big exam a whole lot easier.

16. Don’t underestimate Thursday nights, it is the best day of the week.

17. The first week of classes freshman year, Google Maps is your best friend.

18. Step out of your comfort zone! It’s how you make the best memories, meet the best people, and get the best opportunities.

19. Make your dorm room look cute...it makes you feel happier walking into a nicely decorated room.

20. Think before you buy...before you know it you’ll go from the loaded college freshman to the broke college sophomore.

21. Don’t schedule early classes on Fridays...you will regret it.

22. Honestly, don’t schedule any Friday classes.

23. Don’t spend your freshman year looking for your soul mate. You have the rest of your life to worry about that.

24. Make sure you have Find My iPhone set up on your phone...you WILL need it.

25. Don’t be exclusive to who you hang out with, the best people are the ones you meet unexpectedly.

26. Laughter is truly the best medicine.

27. Don’t stress about the little things, you will come to realize there are much bigger worries in the world.

28. Syllabus week is one of the most fun weeks of college, but for real, take some time to read the syllabus.

29. Write all the assignments on your syllabus in your planner at the beginning of the semester...will save you from accidentally forgetting about an assignment until the day it’s due.

30. Don’t take anything for granted, what you are complaining about someone else is wishing for.

31. Don’t take advantage of living in the dorms, while they aren't the cleanest, it's one of the best experiences you will ever have.

32. Parents and older adults give the best advice, whether we believe it at first or not.

33. Unlimited buffet at the dining hall is not only a blessing but a curse.

34. Don’t let what others say bring you down, odds are they are just jealous.

35. Take lots of pictures! You won’t regret it.

36. Don’t get upset over a significant other...odds are if they made you sad, they aren't worth it.

37. Take advice from upperclassmen. They were in your shoes just a couple years prior.

38. Go to class! Although the early classes are hard to get out of bed for, your GPA will thank you later.

39. As well as going to class, also go to office hours. Your teacher will not only remember your name for the rest of the semester but going will help your grade a ton.

40. Always be there for your friends, you would want them to do the same for you.

41. If you see someone you kinda know on campus, say hi...it’s weirder if you don’t say hi rather than if you do.

42. Don’t be afraid to be a leader! While it may seem scary at first, it will seem natural before you know it.

43. Ordering a pizza at 2 a.m. may seem like a good idea in the moment until it arrives at 3 a.m. when you are already sleeping...

44. Visit your family a couple weekends each semester! Not every weekend has to be spent partying.

45. Have fun, but be safe. The unthinkable will come before your eyes and could be you.

46. You will make mistakes, and that’s okay! It’s how you learn from them that truly matters.

47. Take time to explore your campus. It has a lot more to it than just classrooms and bars.

48. Ice cream can cure almost anything.

49. Take a breath, and enjoy the ride. College is some of the best years of your life; there is no need to be stressed all the time.