Since becoming a college freshman, I have found myself creating unrealistic goals and ridiculously high expectations. I don't know about you but I am constantly struggling, telling myself I will do something to later discover that a fun party or a nice nap is a whole lot better. Here are some lies I tell myself, and hopefully I'm not alone.

1. "I won't procrastinate"

It would be a really funny joke to suggest that I won't be caught under procrastination's infamous spell. There are always more appealing things to do than homework. In fact, I am procrastinating doing homework right now. From people everywhere, to unlimited access to Netflix, to beautiful palm trees, and beaches nearby (if you go to UM like me) homework is the last thing I want to do. So, when I discover that my test is in a week, and I tell myself I'll start studying now, my friend will knock on my door and ask to hang out, I'll drop my textbook to the floor and say yes. Wow, it is a whole lot easier to avoid responsibilities.

2. "I'm going to bed early tonight"

Since coming to college, my sleeping schedule has shifted. During high school, I made sure to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. In college, it is rare that I get 7 or 8. And this is all my own fault, partly because I'd rather be up with friends than curl up in bed and fall asleep. Some mornings I wake up telling myself I'll get a good night's rest. But then it hits 1:00 am and next thing I know I have an 8 am the next morning. So much for going to sleep early.

3. "I am cutting back and not spending any more money"

Money can't buy happiness is a saying I no longer believe since coming to college. Every Wednesday I lose money at my school's weekly farmer's market. Every week I lose money buying Coldstone from the Coldstone food truck. Every week I lose money going out. Money is what every college student craves. Because, really, who would rather eat dining hall food or live off of what you already have when you can always have more? I've learned that without money there isn't much you can do. You could eat at the dining hall, never leave campus and eat your snacks until the very last crumb. Or you can be like me and be part of a vicious cycle of always spending money, but you're happy so who cares right? Wrong. I care, but I do it anyway, because like I said, money really does buy happiness.

4. "I think I'll stay in tonight"

I always imagined going to college and being that one person who just wasn't in the mood to party one night. I always imagined curling up in bed, having a night in watching Netflix alone in my fuzzy slippers, wrapped like a burrito in my warm, soft blanket. But I only think about this possibility for a split second, until I realize that going out is a whole lot more fun. I tell myself that it's time for a chill night but then my friend comes along with a convenient address to a place where's there's anything a college student could ever want. Frankly, partying is like therapy to a college student, relieving the stresses of the past weeks and weeks ahead. Plus, as someone who struggles severely with FOMO (the fear of missing out), a party sounds like a whole lot more fun.

5. "I'm going to be productive today"

Homework sounds good, only because I know if I do it now I won't have to do it later.  But my bed is so comfortable, and those hurricane shutters make it so easy to nap.

Textbook in lap, I tell myself I will read through my Psychology chapter and I will be productive. But eventually, a nap just sounds a whole lot better. And soon, unbeknownst to me previously, I have plans to nap through the rest of my afternoon. I wake up at 5 pm, thoughts scattered, work scattered everywhere, and I soon realize, wow I need to stop lying to myself.

6. "I'm going to clean my room every day"

Some wise person once said, "life is too short to be tidy." And no, I am not quoting myself someone actually did say it- a genius I suppose. And I, embarrassingly enough agree with the statement. College life is so busy that cleaning my room every day is too much work and requires way too much effort and energy that I just don't seem to have. Exhausted by the day, coming to a clean room would be nice, but that requires me to make time to clean. Yes, I clean like once a week, but even so, the desk is piled high with books and snacks, and my bed sheets are scrunched up in the bottom corner of the mattress.

7. "Starting today, I'm changing my diet"

Lies.Lies.Lies. This lasted about two days for me until I realized my undying love for pizza and grilled cheese. When your dining hall serves everything unhealthy and only a few salad options and fruit, you're going to eat unhealthy. At least, for me, I've dealt with this. Good food is important, and even though it's nice to know that what you're putting in your body is good, at the end of the day I'm exhausted and all I am craving is a nice warm brownie with some god damn chocolate sauce. Does anyone ever really crave apples or salads anyway? I don't.

8. "I'm doing laundry today"

When my hamper is piled high with clothes, I let the pile grow and grow- up until my closet has only a few shirts left. Once it's time to do laundry, I try to convince myself to go to the laundry room and sort through the mess I've made. But then again, I'd rather not spend my day waiting for my clothes to finish washing and drying.