When I was in high school, I couldn't wait to graduate and begin my time at the University of Michigan. College seemed like the perfect place. A place free of the seemingly trivial rules of my parents, a place free of the monotonous routine of my high school classes (seriously, the 7am to 3pm nonstop school day was not chill), and a place where I could make every decision for myself with no explanations needed. When I arrived on campus in September, I realized that all of these things were true. For example, I was able to go to hang out with my friends at 10pm on a Monday night. It was, and still is, amazing. Independence is invaluable. However, along with independence comes responsibility.

I could lecture you about the boring responsibilities that independence carries as baggage, like managing money and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but I'm not going to. While these are very real and important issues, discussing them is no fun, and they've already been discussed, like, a million times. I'm here to tell you some of the smaller, but equally as important, struggles I've experienced that come with living on your own in college. Because why not.

You actually have to check your email.

I didn't know people still used email until I got to college. Honestly, I thought email was a form of technology that only old people used; people who couldn't figure out iMessage or texting. I did have an email, but my pre-college inbox was always filled with spam - clothing stores offering me deals, random advertisements, and the occasional message from my school teacher. I used my email minimally during the college application process, but, otherwise, I never really payed attention to it.

In college, though, my email is poppin'. It makes me feel so cool, I swear. I get multiple messages a day from teachers, other students in my classes, clubs, and my sorority. Like, I literally get a weekly email telling me what parties are happening during the week. Emails about parties!! If someone were to tell me that sentence a few months ago, I'd think I was about 90 years old.

You have to FaceTime with your dog.

This is obviously a big responsibility for any dog owner. You definitely can't risk letting your canine forget about you! The occasional FaceTime "check-in" will allow your dog to virtually see his favorite person's face (@siblings - yes, you read that correctly), reminding him of how much he loves and misses you.

You have to walk everywhere (unless you wanna drop hundreds on Uber).

In the beginning of high school, most kids took the bus to school. Then, in 11th and 12th grade, everyone started getting driving permits and licenses. Aka, you could drive everywhere by yourself. It was dope. Freshman year of college, however, you don't have a car, or any driving capabilities for that matter. You're forced to walk long distances (sometimes, in the freezing cold). You're forced to walk to class, to walk in between classes, and to walk home from class. You’re forced to walk to breakfast, to lunch, and to dinner. You’re forced to walk to frat parties, and to bars. I mean, you’re not really forced. No one’s forcing you (unless you have overbearing parents who still control your life… In that case, seek help). However, you’re on a college budget. Sure, an Uber trip might only be a few bucks (especially when you cop that fare split), but it adds up. Plus, it’s highly looked down upon to Uber distances less than the equivalent of a 15-minute walk. Annoying? Maybe. Justifiable? Completely.

You have to make an effort to stay friends with your high school friends.

In high school, it was easy to keep a friendship going. I mean, you'd see your friends everyday in school. If you didn't have classes with friends, you'd see them in the hallways or in the cafeteria. Therefore, keeping in touch with high school friends at home was pretty simple. However, at college, you could be miles and miles away from your high school friends. If you desire to stay friends with these friends, keeping in touch is a huge responsibility! You have to remember to text them ever now and then, snapchat them every now and then, or even FaceTime them every now and then. The struggle.

Anyway, college is amazing, and independence is amazing. The responsibilities that come along with independence are definitely worth it.