Ah, freshman year.

Hundreds of new faces. Different air freshener scents past each door. Different styles, backgrounds, opinions and beliefs. All mixed into one less-than-average residence hall. Here goes.

This is it: you're going to be living with friends, studying what actually matters to you, and having a blast.

You've heard horror stories of freaky roommates, parties gone terribly wrong, and evil professors that give assignments over spring break. Let me tell you– you're in for the shock of your life.

To the future-minded and the planners: you can track down the perfect comforter, reading lamp and bubble lights, but there's only so much preparing you can do. You probably have your mind set on your boundaries, but here are a few experiences that college grants to every incoming freshman.

1. For maybe a month or so, you're going to think you're an adult - at least, I did.

Those that are close to me know my catch phrase was: "This is college, I do what I want." I found it hilarious and freeing, and it was my excuse to say no to my 9 am on a rainy day, (yes my earliest class freshman year was at 9 hehe) and yes to ice cream for brunch. After a time, you will realize you're still basically a kid. You don't know all that much about the real world (even though you're practically a doctor from all the greys you watch, and you make a mean microwavable brownie). You will come to miss those healthy meals your parents make. Your struggles, though hard now, don't even compare to juggling an actual job, bills, and a family. Though you might take a vacay from your parents' advice and sound judgement, you will call them and ask for it sooner or later. Hopefully it's sooner.

2. You will develop your own personal priorities.

They are YOURS, no one else can make them for you. YOU have to decide to watch 5 episodes of Parks in a row on a school night; Netflix is not making you do that, despite popular belief. YOU have to decide to figure out the method of studying that works for you, and to do it instead of what works best for your friends. I had a serious case of FOMO freshman year, and if I wasn't an honors student who is a perfectionist about my report card, it could have gotten me into some real trouble. I cannot count the amount of times I studied in my dorm before "studying" with friends.

3. You will form a unique set of almost-adult skills.

I didn't know I could nap before college. I am proud to say I'm an excellent cat-napper now, thanks to those strategically placed two hour gaps between classes. You'll learn to make your small amount of money stretch. These days, I adore Aldi and its fabulously cheap healthy snacks. (The ice cream at Aldi is not ALL healthy though, some of it is worse than Ben & Jerry's by like 10 grams of fat) If you're really brave, you can get some sweet deals on salon haircuts from Groupon. And most vital of your new skills: using your resources to get the grade you deserve. Your professors don't know or care what you accomplished in high school. Some give out B's like candy, and you might find yourself fighting for an A in a class you aced in high school. Speak now or forever hold your B!!! This is where those people skills come in handy. Talk to your professor, they love when people actually show up to their office hours.

4. You will curse your electronics.

You will pray for your expensive printer to get over its stage fright and PRINT YOUR PAPER NOW BEFORE YOU'RE LATE AND FAIL.

5. You will flock to the free food - like, you will actually run for it.

Whether it is late-night breakfast during finals week, or some school club bribing you to attend meetings with donuts, you'll be down. Especially when you start buying your own groceries to supplement your meal plan. (I eat like 8 meals a day, lets be real)

6. You will get over your pride and ask for help at some point, mark my words.

I have seen the smartest aerospace majors hold study groups and freak out after those study groups because they still don't understand their genius 103 homework. I went to tutoring at least once a week for calculus, with no shame, because I got the grade I wanted. If you don't ask for help when you need it, you can kiss your social life goodbye- or your grades.

7. On certain sunny, gorgeous days, you just might abandon the occasional macro economics lecture to hang with your best friends.

Maybe.

8. You will learn to share.

"I'll trade you a cookie for your baking pan."

"Hey, where is your Kure Beach sweatshirt?"

"Can we borrow your car to get Tacobell?"

The answer might not always be yes, but you'll have to rely on each other's resources occasionally & this is A- okay. You loan out your house, your money, your gas, your clothes, your space, your time, and your knowledge to help out your buds.

9. You will have your values tested again and again.

You'll make mistakes, and you'll bounce back. I guarantee at least a few of your professors will challenge your faith in God. These are intelligent, fact-based opinions that have the power to turn your world upside down if you aren't firmly grounded in your beliefs.

10. If you are as blessed as I was freshman year, you will meet incredible people that make you want to stay around another three years.

The friends you make determine your college experience. Choose wisely. Your first year, you'll become ten times more aware of your own weaknesses and strengths, and you'll grow as a person more than you thought possible.

Go get 'em.