College. The times that everyone tells you are the best of your life. The times where you make the friends that last a lifetime, learn so much, grow immensely, and maybe even meet Mr. (or Mrs.) right. College is a lot of things, but there were a few somethings I wasn’t prepared for when I started college.

We all know that college will be hard. With the time management, the difficult classes, working, the cost, everything just adds up to one big “Adulting 101” course. But college is so much more than an academic rollercoaster.

Be Prepared to be Stressed Emotionally.

College is full of ups and downs, changes, and all sorts of insanity. At times it will be overwhelming, it will be scary, and at other times it will feel like you’ve found home. Either way college is going to drain you emotionally, so take a deep breath and get ready to dive in, and when the waves start crashing, remember that mom and dad (or whoever is at home) would love to hear from you and fight this battle with you.

Be Prepared for all sorts of Relationships.

Relationships means multiple things here; for one, there will be a LOT of couples that get together right off the bat, some will last the long haul, some will break apart, some will confuse you to no end. There’s just something about a bunch of new people that makes everyone fall in love, especially if you think you’re inept, you’ve been warned.

For another, there will also be a lot of friendships. During orientation you will make friends that you think will last through college and beyond, and while some of those friendships might last forever, don’t be surprised if they fall apart. That being said, the friends you find in your classes, during meals, walking through the quad, wherever, those friendships are for forever.

Be Prepared for Change.

You now have two homes. Obviously you can’t be in two places at once, when you’re home you’ll miss things at school and when you’re at school you’ll miss things at home. Life is going to keep on moving no matter where your current GPS location happens to be. You can’t freeze time or change the schedule of the world, so the best advice I can give is this, just live. The experiences you have are only going to be as good as your attitude, so make it a good one.

Be prepared.

These are only a few things that I experiences in college. Things that I would’ve liked to know, but even with these few tips, nothing can prepare you for the amount of crazy that lies in front of you.

College is an adventure unlike any other.

You got this.