When I started my first year, I was full of worry and excitement. I had a lot of expectations of college from movies and what other people have told me. I was worried that I was going to be up all hours of the night studying for my latest exams. I was told there were no extra credit opportunities in college.

My first month at college I found out I had a lot of free time. I was able to hang out with my friends, my boyfriend, study and still have time for extra circular activities.

In movies and tv shows they always show college kids partying and not making the smartest decisions. My first year at college, I never went to a party full of drunk kids. I went to the Game Day held at the library, went to the "Cocky Fest" and ate lunch with my friends every day.

My past teachers from high school told me I would never have opportunities for extra credit. I learned they were wrong. I had a lot of opportunities for extra credit and I did all of them. I had almost 60 extra credit points in a class.

People always told me college was extremely hard and they were up all hours of the night studying. In my first year of college, I never was up late studying or finishing up a paper that I waited until last minute to do. I did my assignments as soon as they were assigned and I did not wait until last minute to study for my exams. If I was staying up late, I was finishing up my latest Netflix obsession or talking to my roommate.

Throughout my first year at college, I learned life is what you make it. If you want to go party and get so drunk you do not remember what happened, do it. Just don't forget about that paper you have due tomorrow. If you want to stay in your dorm all night and study, do it. Just don't complain that you are bored or that there is nothing to do.

College is full of a lot of opportunities and it is up to you to decide which ones you want to take.