I remember being in high school with college just around the corner, and having no idea what to expect for my future. I graduated high school, and it hit me: I'm leaving to go off to college on my own in three months. Believe it or not, high school is not the best years of your life. Also, believe me when I say that as much stress and heartache that college brings, you will grow so much as a person, and you will not be ready to leave when the time comes. These four short years will eventually come to an end, and what you will be able to look back and say about your experiences will be up to you (mostly).

Here are 62 things I have learned so far throughout my college experience that I would like to pass on to you:

1. There is only one reason for a person to call after 2 am. Be smart.
2. Never skip a class two days in a row, that is all it takes to set you back for the entire semester.
3. Very few people get the chance to rewrite a first impression...just keep that in mind. Your first year will be spent meeting a lot of new people for the first time.
4. Figure out what you believe in and what you don’t because now is the time and your opinions are yours to form.
5. Some of your high school friends were really terrible, and it takes some distance to make this clear.
6. Try to make it to every home football game. You’ve got 4 years to experience the student section before you’re just a regular fan at a game.
7. Know the words to your fight song.
8. A few things in life need more than just a text message to be fixed.
9. Just because they made out with you, or even slept with you, doesn’t mean they want to date you. As hard or misleading as it may be, you’ve got to let a few of those go.
10. You will cry a lot, especially in the beginning. If you’ve never cried over an assignment like I had coming into college, trust me, you will for the first time.
11. There isn’t anyone there to tell you no, but that doesn’t mean you should do it.
12. Work hard to make friends with and get to know your roommate(s). Having to live with someone you don’t like will make it the longest year of your life.
13. You will inevitably have a shift in weight, whether you gain weight from snacking all the time or lose weight because you’re so busy you run out of time to grab lunch.
14. Don’t be the reason your group does poorly on a group project. Pull your weight plus a little extra.
15. You represent every organization you join. If you don’t want people speaking badly about something you are a part of, act accordingly.
16. Create and foster new relationships and don’t make unnecessary enemies because you never know when you’ll need someone on your side.
17. Figure out every restaurant and store that is open 24 hours. You are going to need more things at 2 am than you ever dreamed possible.
18. Usually it’s better to sleep a few hours and blow off a chapter than to pull an all-nighter and be brain dead and exhausted when you go to take your test.
19. Living on campus doesn’t mean you will magically make it to your class on time if you wake up 4 minutes before it starts. Plan accordingly.
20. Offer help when someone needs it, they will return the favor someday.
21. It’s okay to change your major or even your university. You made all these big life decisions when you were 17, not everyone expects you to get it perfectly right the first time around, or even the thirteenth.
22. Keep a picture of your family in your room.
23. Look people in the eye and shake their hand. You are too old for the awkward waves and look aways to avoid eye contact.
24. Most people will not stay in touch, if you truly care to keep someone around, put in the effort and act like it.
25. Forgive yourself. Forgive yourself. Forgive yourself.
26. Try a new hobby. Netflix, any social media, and video games don’t count.
27. Invest in a good, warm coat.
28. The more time you spend looking for shortcuts, the more time you’ve wasted that you could have utilized to do a good job in the first place. The shortcuts you used in high school will not get you far in college.
29. Sometimes it’s better to just not go than to be 30 minutes late.
30. You don’t need every textbook that is listed on the syllabus. Communicate with your teachers and see what you actually need versus what is more supplemental material.
31. Quit bragging about the things you did in high school. It is so irrelevant now.
32. Sit in the front, introduce yourself, and go to office hours when you need help. Sitting in the front makes you more likely to pay attention and getting to know your professors will be something you are grateful for when they bump your grade a point or two at the end of the semester.
33. Know how to introduce two people to one another. Learn how to introduce yourself when someone fails to do it for you.
34. Look presentable more often than not. It’ll make a difference in the way you feel.
35. Pack an umbrella even if your weather app says there's no chance of it raining.
36. Try to go home for your mom and dad’s birthdays.
37. I know it's awkward, but try to find people you can study with in each class. They may know other people in class too or already have a study group of their own that you can join; you will thank yourself later for it.
38. Everyone else may seem like they are having way more fun at their colleges, but Instagram only shows so much of the story.
39. Headphones, a pack of gum, and some change are necessities.
40. Tell everyone on campus that helps you out (from the professors, to the RAs, to the maintenance people) thank you. They work hard to make everything easier and more convenient for you.
41. Make at least one friend that you can truly count on.
42. It’s okay to fail a test. It’s not okay to let a bad grade define you. Let go of your pride and seek help when you need it.
43. Turn your cell phone on silent before every class.
44. You’ve got to start behaving like an adult which includes making your own appointments, taking yourself to the doctor, emailing people in a professional manner.
45. Take pictures of everything.
46. Don’t wait for the other person to make the first move. If you want to kiss them, kiss them. Regret it later or keep wishing; personally I’d rather regret it later.
47. Social cues are important. Learn to recognize them.
48. Learn to complain a little less because a college education is a privilege that millions of kids around the world would kill for.
49. When you get in trouble and have to call your parents, be brave and remember they were kids too. No matter how mad they get, they want to help.
50. Keep barf bags in your glove box.
51. Nobody likes the kid who argues with the teacher. We don’t think you’re smart, we think you’re a jerk. Talk after class.
52. Have a go-to outfit that you can throw on in 5 minutes. Don’t let not having a cute outfit hinder you from making memories.
53. Acting like you “don’t care” isn’t cool anymore.
54. Keep track of your room key because they are expensive to replace.
55. Make sure you always have clean underwear. This calls for keeping up with your laundry.
56. People are going to be better than you, smarter than you, faster than you, funnier than you, and more attractive than you. Just work harder.
57. Find a good academic advisor and stick with them.
58. Be kind always. Everyone is fighting some kind of battle or they’re just plain crazy but it’s hard to tell the difference sometimes.
59. They may not say it, but your sibling(s) at home really miss you.
60. Even though you don’t think you’re going to run into anyone you know, you will.
61. Make goals for the day, week, month, and entire college career. It’ll help remind you what you’re there for when things get tough.
62. Keep and utilize a planner.