With the dreaded finals week and the end of first semester finally among us, I thought what would be a better time to reflect on all the crazy of college than right now? I’ve had some successes and some failures, but you’re going to see that in any point of your life. This is what I’ve learned as a freshman in college at the end of first semester.

1. It’s really not that much different than high school

Do you remember how during high school the teachers would warn you that college professors are basically not people and are the most rotten people in the world? I have to disagree. All of my professors this semester were pretty laid-back and chill, and if I had an issue, I just talked to them and we figured something out that worked. It’s really not that different than high school, except communication is key, and you practically choose the courses you take based on your occupational choice.

2. Grades do matter

As if they always didn’t, they definitely do here. I cannot tell you another place that I heard that all of those tiny assignments and silly readings cost points, and all of those add up after 15-16 weeks. With all the assignments and tests that are thrown at you, it’s so important to stay caught up on all assignments and actually know what is due when. It’s even not a bad idea to write this stuff down and plan accordingly on when to sit down and do little pieces each night.

3. Attendance is number one

In elementary school and high school if we were sick and couldn’t attend school, our parents had to call in and give a reason as to why we wouldn’t be in school. In college, the ball is in your court. We finally have the freedom to decide on whether we want to continue being good students or if we want to exercise our freedom. However, when I did take a lazy day or even when I fell ill and missed just one class, I felt as if I missed so much in such a short amount of time. Fight the urge to skip class and actually go. You’ll be so much more prepared, and your grades will probably be better too if you know the material!

4. You need to actually read when assigned to read

This was my biggest mistake this semester. I was so used to not reading in high school when readings were assigned, so I didn’t think college would be much different—boy, was I wrong! You will get so much more out of class lectures and even have a longer attention span if you know what is being talked about. Half the time in my lectures, I would sit there bored out of my mind and so confused as to what was being discussed, that I didn’t even try to understand what was going on. As time consuming and frivolous it may seem now, it’ll help you in the long run!

5. Be thankful for the education I received beforehand

I don’t mean to offend anyone based on their education and their intelligence, but the number of people who don’t even know how to write in MLA format is astounding to me. I’ve been practicing MLA formatting since about seventh grade, and that was what all my papers were expected to be written in throughout high school. I’m not an expert at it (which by now I probably should be...oops), but it makes me realize that not everyone had the incredible experience that I had by attending a private, Catholic school from kindergarten to senior year. It’s definitely taught me to not take things for granted, and appreciate the education that my parents paid for and that I received because their money was definitely not wasted.

6. Procrastination is not key

I, like many others, am very good friends with procrastination. We have been friends for a while, but very good friends since about junior year of high school. I hate myself a little more everytime I wait until the night before a big paper is due to sit down and write the thing, but it’s such an easy habit to get in and such a hard one to escape from. Procrastinating my schoolwork has made me realize how I’ll procrastinate on simple tasks that I’m supposed to do at home, like chores or even taking a shower (which is super gross. I apologize). I do not recommend procrastinating in any aspect of your life. I work well under pressure, but I also get really stressed. Don’t follow my footsteps, and be wise.

7. This experience is all you, and all you make it to be

This first semester wasn’t too bad, I can’t complain. I know a couple of people who had harder semesters than I did, so I think this load that I was given was the appropriate amount to give me a good feel for college. I was never one to get involved in school activities and such, but I did find myself attending a few. They still aren’t really my thing, but all CSU has to offer is impressive. I met many new people this semester, and even made a few new friends. Things may not always be ideal, but you learn to work through it and stick with what you got. There’s no guarantee of what next semester will bring—possible new friends, new opportunities, and maybe even moving on from things that occurred from this semester. Whatever may be lying ahead of me, I can’t wait to come in contact with it and be that much closer to that degree!