"College is the beginning of anything you want."
College can be super scary. It's kinda like an adrenaline rush—you're so excited to have freedom, be away from home, start fresh, move in and make new friends...but there's more to it than that, and no one can really prepare you for what happens when the "puppy love" stage of college wears off.
1. You'll loose friends.
People think that just because you go to college, you'll still keep all of the same friends you grew up with and went to high school with. No is the answer to that. People change really fast in college and become different people than the ones you knew before...you will too. It's OK to grow apart from the old friends—because it's about the the future and what's coming next; we don't always have to hold on tight to the comfort of what we had. Everyone changes.
2. You'll actually cry a lot and miss the comfort of your mom.
OK, people say it's not that bad leaving your parents when you go to college...it is. Yes, it's fun, and it's exciting to be away and have freedom...but not having that comfort when your sick, sad or having a rough week is hard. Sometimes you still need encouragement and reassurance from your mom, so it's totally OK to call her five times a day and admit that you still need her. It's also OK to cry and be emotional in college...this is a new emotional time in our lives, and we have to embrace all of it.
3. You can now start over.
This is probably the best thing that will happen. When you go to college, you most likely won't know anyone or maybe just a few people. You won't have your high school reputation anymore, and you can now start fresh. No one knows you for who you dated and for the bad decisions you made. You are now a new person and can be anyone you want to be.
4. You'll be tired 24/7.
It doesn't matter if you go to sleep at 8 p.m. or 3 a.m...you'll still be extremely tired the next day. Naps are a necessity for college, and it is always possible to make time for naps. Your life gets crazy busy in college with work, classes and studying...you'll never be fully awake or "not tired."
5. You'll go broke.
Yes, college food definitely sucks sometimes. Sandwiches, salads and pizza gets really old really quick. If you're lucky like me, Chick-fil-a and Zaxby's are just down the road, and they are continually taking all of your money. It's super important to be wise with your money and actually try to save up...it'll help in the long run when you are dragging one morning and need some extra case for a venti caramel macchiato from Starbucks.
6. Weekly (or maybe daily) Walmart runs.
Walmart is going to become your "go to" in college. There is literally always something you'll need or forgot to pick up the day before. Also, it can be very entertaining to just go and walk around and people watch...you never know what you'll see. 
7. Sleep before 12 a.m. doesn't exist.
In high school, you may have gone to sleep before 12 a.m. But in college, you probably won't even get in bed before 1 a.m. Late night studying, cleaning, showering and Netflix binging will start to consume your nights. It doesn't matter if you don't have class until 11 a.m. or 8 a.m.—you will never get sleep before 12 a.m.
8. It's OK to go home.
Everyone always says to enjoy college and not to go home on the weekends. Personally, I think that going home is important. Your family will miss you lots, and it's good to catch up with people when you go back home. Also, it's always fun to go back and cheer on your previous high school in sports as now technically an "alumni."
9. Everything will change.
Your outlook on life will change. Your style will change. Your attitude will change. Your friends will change. Everything will change. College is a time to grow into a new person. To change for the better.
10. This is all you.
There is no handbook for college. Everyone has different experiences and can tell you different things to do and to note. But in the end, it's up to the decisions that you make and the way you have an outlook on college. `
