This past week has been my first week away from home, and living in a dorm at college. I've learned a lot so far, some things I'd wish I'd had learned sooner, some I wish I could forget. Nevertheless, here is everything I've learned these past 7 days — the good, the bad, and the strange.

1. Try everything

From going downtown for lunch with the roomies, going to the store at midnight and doing the Cha Cha Slide, and bowling in the hallway late at night, to going to a party and leaving 15 minutes later, and going to a hypnotist. Try. Everything. If you don't you'll miss out on opportunities to get out and have fun, and you'll probably just sit in your room and wish you'd gone and done things anyway.

2. College is actually about school

During the first few days after I moved in, classes hadn't started yet and there were a bunch of activities and ice breakers to do to get everyone out and start to make friends. The first weekend was filled with laughs, late nights, and a lot of fun, but then classes came on Monday. I know, I haven't really gotten into the swing of things yet, and I know you're thinking "Oh boy, you just wait," but going to class on Monday was a snooze fest compared to the weekend, and woke me up to realize that my education was actually a thing that was going to happen. With all the excitement and fun from the weekend, reality hadn't hit that I started classes the next day.

3. Roommates are like a security blanket the first few days

They're with you most of the time, and probably the first people you meet when you get to school, so they become your go to people for someone to talk to, walk around with, go to events with, and grab food with. I know practically everywhere I went (and am still going) at least one of my roommates is with me. It's great to have someone there so you don't have to scope out your classes alone or even ask what to wear for the day.

4. Make the first move

Unless you plan on being a loner forever, you must do it. It's hard, but it must be done. Over the summer, I would be so excited to go away to school and would imagine hanging out with new lifelong friends I would make. The part I didn't imagine was having to make these friends. I am a really shy person and I despise small talk, but when you're in a class of 100 or more people and have no one to sit next to, introducing yourself is the most awkward, but best thing to do. When you don't have many friends in your new home yet, you do what you have to do.

5. Not everyone wants to be social

I was in an elevator when one other person walked in. He was carrying a laundry basket, so I thought I'd be nice and ask him what floor he needed to go to. Instead of telling me, he looked right at me and pressed the button for himself. I guess some people don't want to talk to stranger or don't feel comfortable. That's fine, I wish him luck with his laundry.

6. Free food is everywhere

Just in the first week, there was free pizza four times, free popsicles, free root beer, free snow cones, free pulled pork, free pop, free water, free candy, free cookies, and even free trail mix. Don't get me wrong, it was all delicious, but It's like they want you to gain the freshman 15.

7. Home is still home

Already on the 5th night, I was gone. I called my mom and sister crying and told them I hated being at school and wanted to go home. Being sent adorable pictures of my cats didn't help the cause and I still can't wait to go home even though I'm excited to see what else college has in store of me and I'm happy to be away.