Two years ago, I packed my things from my room and prepared to move away from home for the first time. There were a lot of things going through my head, but the biggest worry I had was, believe it or not, what I was going to eat when I was at college.

I still haven't mastered the whole cooking thing yet, but when it comes to living on my own, I'm definitely better off than when I first started out.

Everyone comes to college with different pasts and expectations. Aside from that, your experience in college can be very different depending on a lot of things. For instance, if you choose to commute because you live nearby, you may not have the same feeling of homesickness as someone who lives on campus. Having a meal plan vs planning out and cooking your own meals is also a pretty big difference.

With that said, you're going to have a lot of things in common with your fellow students. For most of you, it will be your first time experiencing independence, or sitting in a lecture hall classroom, or trying to navigate your way around a university. Don't be afraid to reach out and try to connect with others through those common experiences.

When you have time, you should explore and be familiar with your campus. I'm a biology major, but my friends and I took some time to explore the art museum, business building, school of music, and other places on campus simply for the fun of it. You never know, you may discover an interest you never knew you had, or see something the school has to offer that you're really excited to take part in.

You may now be in classes where you're sitting in a lecture hall with hundreds of other students, with a professor that probably has a harder time keeping track of individual faces. So don't hesitate to go to their office hours if you have any questions, or otherwise stand out to them in some way. It may go a long way for a recommendation in the future.

This is a pretty big step in one's life and with that in mind, it's important to take a step back and breathe. College can be a challenging experience, but it can also be rewarding, and you may change in a lot in those years as a person, so it's important to make the best of it.