Going to college away from home is always scary, and no matter how prepared you may think you are, how many times you've been away from home for long periods of time, or how independent you think you are, you will go through periods of distress. If you ask anyone what advice they have for you going in to college you'll get a lot of answers, mainly circling around "go to office hours" or "MAKE SURE YOU DO THE READING" or "Don't go out the night before an 8am". While all of these are true, there are plenty of lessons you learn that will carry on over to real life that people rarely mention. What you actually learn in college is...

1. You are PAYING for class

One time my friends and I did the math and realized that after all of our scholarships factored in to the equation we each pay around a couple thousand for each class we take every quarter. Everyone loves college mainly because it gives you the option to not go to class, and this is a great thing if you are sick, or if you have a family emergency you need to attend to. Teachers give you a syllabus to book flights home, and to plan people coming in to visit so you minimize how much you miss. I understand taking a day or two because you absolutely can't go to that 8am, but just remember what you'd rather have hurt, your head from that hangover, or your wallet from the class you won't be attending. (But whatever you do, don't go to class when you are sick, that is how things like our personal PioPlague get spread)

2. Your freshman year grades may not be good

School is hard to adapt to. I came to a school 1,500 miles away where I knew one person who got put in a dorm on the opposite end of campus. My grades suffered as did my happiness. I got down on myself even more for not performing the way I should. You must be able to bounce back. Your first quarter (or semester) may not reflect the kind of student you are, and that is ok! You just have to dig yourself out of that hole. My best friend and I once freaked out because we were on the borderline of a B- in French class and we spent 30 minutes crying about how we will never get into grad school, only to be reminded by one of my other best friends that we are freshmen in college, and to just grind until the end and work harder next quarter. DO NOT stop trying because you are trying to have fun, but if you get your first C ever, or have to take a W because the class isn't what you thought it was, don't stress.

3. Keep doing what you love

After a rough first quarter, I got back on the basketball court and eventually went through informal recruitment. I now have a solid support system full of the best teammates anyone could ask for, and sisters that are as passionate about changing the world as I am (shout out to the love of my life, St. Jude Children's Hospital). The things you used to love doing will not be lacking in college, they may just take a different form than what you are used to. Continue on with the sports you enjoy, or get back involved in debate. Whatever floats your boat, continue doing it.

4. You will take General Ed classes, and you will hate them

I know, it is wicked frustrating that you have to take math credits when you want to major in something within humanities, but you have to do it. Become friends with a math major on your floor and let them help you. It was always the best help to ask my engineering friend questions and see how excited he would get explaining it to me while drawing it out on our dorm mirror. Try to get them all done in one year and never have to deal with them again.

5. How important fruit is

Yay it's time for college and late night Fat Shack runs (because those mozzarella sticks are your true loves) but have an orange once in a while. Coming from the fruitful land of California where we have a fruit in season always and going to school in Colorado where you get cabin fever and deal with cold temperatures, I have learned to value fruit much more. You have no idea how good it feels to have a crisp apple, or a juicy peach after only ever getting your fruit fix through the new froyo flavor of the month.

6. How to silently cry

You have a roommate who may not be your best friend which is totally fine. But you will get stressed out about a boy/girl, your parents, or yourself. You can't help but to let loose the tears and you have to be quiet. You'll feel better in the end and you'll get a fantastic sleep because crying does tired you out. DON'T BE AFRAID TO REACH OUT FOR HELP IF IT PERSISTS AND GETS TO BE TOO MUCH TO HANDLE.

7. How important family is

When I moved from Connecticut to California I thought moving away from my extended family and the grandparents that helped raise me would be the most difficult thing I would have to do. Then I made the trip from California to Colorado to where I didn't have my immediate family ever. All of a sudden stressful phone calls aren't enough to comfort you, and all you want is to fly back and see your brother as he goes to his first homecoming or see your sister off to her first major job. Everyone blames their homesickness on their dogs, but we all know you miss your moms Sunday pancakes even though you spent 17 years not eating them, and your dads witty personality that has taught you to never let any good joke go untold.

8. You'll meet the most important people of your lives because you have figured out who you are as a person.

I met one of my best friends because we sat next to each other in French and she ended up at a basketball practice and mentioned she was from close to me in California. I met another best friend because he eavesdropped on a phone call I was having with my dad where he learned I debated in high school and he was craving to compare stories, so he called me in to his room and convinced me to judge a league tournament that weekend. My roommate and I are sisters, teammates, and will be eachothers bridesmaids. These people know the depths of who I am and have been there with me through everything. You will learn of priorities you never thought you had before and learn what you value in a friend because you are finally able to surround yourself with positive people who only have the best intent for you. Love them endlessly.