Starting college might be one of the hardest things you ever do, but if you know what's coming, you may just be able to take it on.
1. Privacy is a very rare thing.
Between sharing a room and having communal bathrooms, you don't get a lot of time to yourself. But that's OK, you get used to it. In fact, when you do get time alone, you'll find it weird and you'll start to miss your roommate.
2. The classes are hard.
This isn't high school anymore. You're going to have to study, and I don't just mean looking over the notes the night before the test. You're gonna have to start reviewing four or five days before the test in order to do well.
3. You have less free time than you think.
Sure, you only have three hours of class per day but between sports practice, club meetings, and hanging out with your new friends, all of that extra time meant for homework and studying can easily slip away from you.
4. You're going to gain weight.
You might not gain "the Freshman 15" but you will most likely gain the Freshman 5. With buffet-style meals every night and a dozen pizza places within 10 minutes of you, you're gonna put on a few extra pounds if you don't routinely visit the gym.
5. College sports are tough.
College sports are WAY different than high school sports. Practices are more demanding, games are more intense, and the players are all bigger, faster, and stronger. You'll go through an adjustment period and it's going to suck at first. You're going to have to fight for playing time, but I can promise you that it will be worth it in the end.
6. Music will save you.
If you're having a bad day for any reason (bad test grade, breakup, not feeling well, etc.), music will make you feel better. It will help you switch your mood from bad to good if you listen to the right songs, and I found that to be so important.
7. You will get homesick.
It'll probably take a few months to kick in but at some point during your first year at college, you will find yourself missing home. You'll miss your mom's home-cooked meals, your own bed, your siblings, and obviously your dog. Thankfully we live in the 21st century where your family is just a text or a call away and even something as simple as that can make you feel so much better.
8. You're the only person who can make you happy.
Sadly, this is true. Your friends can try to cheer you up but you have to be willing to help yourself. Only you can put yourself in a better mood and make yourself happy.
9. Take chances.
Really though, take chances, take risks, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone else around you is in the same boat. They don't know what's going on either. You won't grow unless you do something that scares you or mess up a few times.
10. Make friends with your roommate(s).
You're going to be living with this person or people for an entire school year so it's best to become friends with them, or at least act civil towards them. I lucked out with my roommate this year and we're great friends, which had made my freshman year so much more enjoyable. I can't imagine not having her around for support.
11. Distance yourself from stressors.
This can be hard to do since you can't avoid homework or wish unwanted people away. However, if you give yourself breaks from whatever is overwhelming you then you will find yourself feeling so much better and able to de-stress.
12. You'll meet one person who changes you forever.
They will change your perspective on everything. They will allow you to open up your eyes to new people, new ideas, new experiences. This person will be your best friend and you'll soon start to wonder how you ever lived without them. No matter what, never let this person go.
13. You'll fall for someone unexpectedly.
Unfortunately, this is true as well. You're going to fall for somebody and, one way or another, they're going to break your heart. It's going to suck...a lot. But you will fall in love again and after the passing of time, you'll forget about them and your heart will heal itself.
14. People will leave you.
Regardless of the reason, at least one important person will leave you. This will be very difficult for you and at first you'll be pretty sad and angry. At some point though, you'll move past it and realize who your true friends are and the person who walked away from you won't seem as important anymore.
15. You will change your mind once or twice.
College is the place to try new things, make decisions, and make mistakes. All of this will lead you to having to change your mind. In my case, I changed my major. For 15 years I thought I was going to be a physicist but after a semester and a half taking physics and higher-level math courses, I realized that physics was not for me. This was hard for me to process at first but what was the point with trying to continue with something that I didn't enjoy? Now, I'm a happy psychology major looking to get a criminology major as well.
16. Life goes on.
No matter what happens, you will get through your hardships.You'll be a stronger, smarter person than you were before and you'll be more prepared for the next thing life throws at you. Let me tell you a secret: you'll get through that too.17. Pizza at 2 a.m. is totally acceptable.
At some point you'll find yourself unable to sleep and all of a sudden your stomach will start making noises. You're hungry and all you have for food is an old bag of candy from orientation and packs of ramen. The only solution to this is to order food. There are a ton of pizza places that deliver overnight and you and your roommate can have a 2 a.m. pizza party! After eating you'll probably even be able to fall asleep for a few hours before your 8 a.m. biology class.
18. Your friends will save you.
If you're having a really bad day or are going through a rough patch and can't seem to help yourself, your friends will come through and help you. Whether it be talking to you, or taking you on a drive somewhere off campus, they will be there for you. The bonds you create with these friends during rough times will unite you for a very long time.
19. You will change.
You will learn so many things about both yourself and the world around you during your freshman year. You will be exposed to so many different situations and people that you wouldn't have been exposed to at home. All of this will change you and your outlook on life. This is normal, it's an essential part of growing up. Ultimately you will be shaped into a better, more grown-up version of yourself.
20. You will have so much fun.
Freshman year is a crazy, emotional roller coaster that will push you around every second of every day. But it sure is fun and you better enjoy it while it lasts because you'll never get it back.
