Freshman year is exciting! There are so many new people to meet, so many new activities to experiences, and so so many things to learn. Everyone says it, and it's true: freshman year flies by. But it's easy to take it for granted when you're having the time of your life.

1. Dining halls

Pizza, pasta, pancakes. These are just a few of the amazing foods our dining halls have to offer. Since freshmen are required to buy a meal plan, why not take advantage of it? You have free food (prepaid) at your fingertips. DON'T TAKE THIS FOR GRANTED. Eat without fear of judgement or weight gain, because when you no longer have a meal plan, you'll wish you had taken just one more double chocolate chip cookie. The freshman fifteen is inevitable, but fear not. The first month of your sophomore year will have the reverse effect. If you're like me, starvation will hit you hard when you least expect it. You find out what you're made of when you have to ration your PB&Js to last you throughout the week.

2. Your community

There are so many events geared toward freshmen! The residence halls alone host events to bring you closer to the community around you. Many clubs have freshman councils that freshmen are encouraged to apply for. You get to live with people who will become your closest friends. You're surrounded by people who are just as lost with the whole 'adulting thing' as you are. DON'T TAKE THIS FOR GRANTED. It takes a lot more effort to maintain connections with people when you no longer see them 24/7. You'll lose friends, and you'll make new ones. You'll keep friendships from freshman year, but it won't be as easy as walking five steps to say 'hey' everyday or having random movie nights in the dorm.

3. Living on campus

You may have an 8 a.m., but at least it's just a walk away! Imagine having to get up extra early to drive to campus or catch an unreliable bus to start your day. You can literally roll out of bed, walk to class, then walk back to your bed. DON'T TAKE THIS FOR GRANTED. Come sophomore year, you'll see the extent people will go to just to obtain a parking pass. Or maybe you'll be the one selling your life away to not have to park in the remote south deck. Either way, you'll miss the short distance you once were to the center of campus.

4. No monthly rent

Remember that big chunk of money the university demanded of you at the beginning of the semester? Somewhere in there was the residence hall expense, and if you're like most freshmen, your source of funds (aka parents) took care of it. This means you have no monthly rent to worry about! DON'T TAKE THIS FOR GRANTED. Next year, you may find yourself staring at the first of the month with your bank statement in hand coming to terms with the realization that you're going to have to eat ramen for dinner every night that week. On top of rent, you'll most likely have to pay a monthly utilities bill, so also look forward to eating your ramen in the dark.

5. Your support system

Whoo! You're excited about your first year of college, and chances are your parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, second cousins, etc. are just as excited, if not more excited for you. They cheer you on. They constantly ask if you're doing OK. They want to see their darling child succeed in their new chapter of life. DON'T TAKE THIS FOR GRANTED. Pretty soon you'll be expected to hold your own. Sure, they'll always be there to support you, but the 'holding your hand' phase will come to a quick end. You'll likely be expected to get a job, to schedule your own doctor's appointments, to deal with mental breakdowns at 2 a.m. on your own (just to name a few of the responsibilities that come with adulting).

So keep these things in mind as you go through freshman year. Apply for freshman councils! Enjoy (at least try to) the walk to your 8 a.m. Be thankful for the weekly phone calls from mom, and eat a lot of pasta! Freshman year will be over before you know it, so don't take it for granted.