Finally. College. The next four years will be filled with frat parties with copious amounts of alcohol, frisbee on the college green after class, and a few long nights in the library. You're going to find your best friends for life and join clubs/teams where you fit in perfectly. But let's get real -- like almost everything else in life, the reality of college is much different than the perfect images you've been replaying over and over again in your head. Often, the first few months of college are filled with feelings of loneliness ("I'm not as close with my roommate as I thought I would be," "I miss my high school friends"), fear ("What if I never find good friends?" "What if I don't get into that sorority/fraternity I want?"), and inferiority ("I'm not the smartest or most athletic person at school anymore"). And while every other freshman is grappling with these same emotions on some level, almost no one wants to admit it. In fact, most of your high school and college friends will do everything they can to convince those around them that they are having the absolute best time in college -- because that is the experience everyone expects them to be having. No one is going to post about how they feel overwhelmed or disconnected, but they will post the candid, laughing selfie with their roommate because that is the image they want to portray to their peers.

So as a freshman, acknowledge and embrace these negative emotions that we often would rather sweep under the rug. When you're feeling lonely, remember that the connections you had with your high school friends weren't built overnight, and the friendships you build in college won't be either; true friendships take time. If you're feeling scared, remember that while rejection is never a great feeling, it's better to be in the running for something than on the sidelines because you were too scared to even try. And if you're knocked off your high horse because you are no longer the best at everything, try looking at college as a personal challenge to see how you can compete against people who were also the best in their home towns. And even if it seems like you've completely lost your identity, you'll find your niche eventually -- trust me. There's no doubt that every freshman's experience is different, but it is comforting to know that other kids are likely going through the same emotions that you are. No, your high school friends aren't really having as much fun as it looks like they are on their snap story. And no, they probably aren't as close with their new friends as it looks like your Instagram feed. It's okay to admit when you're having a hard time, because pretending everything is as perfect as the images in your head is unrealistic and suffocating. Just know that things do get better -- you will find those amazing friends, join those amazing clubs, and have those (not-so) amazing all-nighters. But these conquests won't be without trials and tribulations along the way. College is an amazing time in your life -- don't let it be ruined by the pursuit of perfection.