Being a college freshman is an experience that you only have once. It can be a really scary time at first, especially if you’re anything like me and haven’t spent that much time away from home before. Looking back on my freshman year, I thought these tips might help incoming college freshman feel a little more at ease.

1. What you want may have to be compromised for what you actually need.

College is a time where you are discovering who you are and what kind of person you want to be, and that may be different from who you are in high school. The importance of recognizing and differentiating wants and needs are vital in college.

2. High school really doesn't matter: like, seriously.

It sounds cliche, I know, but it holds especially true in college. It doesn’t matter if you were a cheerleader, stoner, or an honors student- college makes it so easy to interact with any and all types of people.

3. Ratemyprofessor.com is a godsend and will save you a lot of unnecessary frustration.

A professor could make or break your GPA, and in college, that is a pretty big deal. Don’t be afraid to use this website, or ask other students if they had a memorable experience with a particular professor.

4. Friends in college will come and go, and that's okay.

The two or three people you meet during orientation may not become your besties for life, and the boy you flirted with at the house party may not be your future husband. But a college campus is so big, you’re sure to find a group of people with no problem.

5. That's not to say all of them will, however, and you'll meet people that you will be close with the rest of your life.

I met some of the most fascinating, wonderful, and kind people my first year of college that I know I will hold dear to my heart for as long as I live. When you find these people, do not ever let them go.

6. You are allowed to just cry sometimes.

Sometimes the commons is out of your favorite food, you failed that exam, and your roommate is giving you trouble. It’s okay to let it all out, but remember to not let one bad day define your week, month, or year.

7. Remember you’re at college to learn, but you’re there for the fun stuff, too.

I like to say that I learned a lot my first year of college, and I’d say about 90% of the learning done is done outside the classroom. I learned so much about myself, my needs, and the needs of other people. I learned how to be the best I could possibly be, and how to be someone that is well-respected and well informed.

Entering college is scary, yes. But the memories made, lessons learned, and goals achieved is worth every single second of the journey.