1. You do not need to bring everything you own to school with you.

When it was time to move in, I packed as if I was never coming home again. I brought EVERYTHING. I got to college realizing that I brought way too much and just had to lug it all home again. Bring what you need to live and your favorite items. Otherwise, you will be going through your closet randomly and say "oh, I forgot I had this!".

2. Call your family as much as possible.

When you are nearing the ending of high school, all you can think is "I want to get away from my house, I cant wait to leave." I said the same thing, but now I am in college, I miss my family more than anything. Every facetime means so much. Its the little things!

3. Go to class.

People say "In college, I never go to class!" but in reality, those people are barely passing. I have had to miss class due to illness, going home, etc. and every time I always miss important lectures, it never fails!

4. Do as much extra credit as you possibly can.

There will be a time in your college career where you are hanging on that A by a hair. I have seen major results after doing all extra credit opportunities, that is how I passed my freshman year statistics class!

5. NEVER buy your books from the bookstore (unless you absolutely have to).

I felt so bad for the people who said "I had to spend $800 on my textbooks!". Chegg and Amazon WILL save your life and your bank account no matter how many textbooks you have to buy.

6. Buddy system!

You are college students, you are going to go on adventures with your friends. Whether you are walking on campus or going to a party, always use the buddy system. These days there are too many people you cannot trust.

7. When you go home, you will miss your college friends.

When I go home on the weekends, I enjoy my time with my family. But oddly enough, I cannot wait to get back to school to see all of my friends. Sometimes I have more separation anxiety from my friends than I do my own family.

8. When people say "you will meet your greatest friends during college", they're right.

Coming to Stevenson, I did not know anyone really. In high school, people think they will remain friends with their high school clique. Sometimes that is true, but most of the time it is not. I haven't talked to anyone since I graduated. I became really good friends with people who lived on the same floor as me over time. Now, they are my best friends and I could not imagine life without them.

9. You have to study to pass.

I took my first college exam and thought to myself "Oh, I got this." When I got the exam back, I was flabbergasted. I couldn't believe that I had gotten that kind of score. Now, I study for EVERY SINGLE EXAM OR QUIZ. It is 100% necessary, trust me on this one.

10. It is okay to go home almost every weekend.

Boyfriends, family, and jobs are not the only reason you should go home every weekend. Yes, they play a huge part but honestly sometimes you just need a little brain break. Sleeping in your own bed and getting normal amounts of sleep makes it completely okay to go home every weekend.