My first month as a college student has flown by. Since being here, I've fostered incredible friendships, made amazing memories, and endured new levels of stress. I was so nervous to start a new chapter in my life, but looking back, my concern was senseless.

I remember being terrified of not making many friends and hanging out in my dorm too often. Currently, I think the only time I spend in my dorm is to sleep and occasionally to do homework. Normally, I spend time at my friend's doing homework ... because I made so many friends that I feel like I've known forever--it's only been a month. Considering the fact that I am more reserved, I just had to continue reminding myself that everyone is in the same boat as me: just as nervous and just as fearful.

I've created countless memories while being here at school. I love the late nights spent inside with friends while watching movies and telling our darkest secrets. I also love the late nights spent outside with friends while at the beach or at parties while making new friends along the way. I love the spontaneous beach trips, long Starbucks runs, spirited (or lack there of) sports games, and late-night ice cream runs.

The work load is as much as I thought it'd be; however, there is so much reading. I didn't expect there would be this much. For about all of my classes, I have to read at least thirty pages of text a night. It's extremely time consuming, and harder because I'm having difficulty in saying no to my friends. Get lunch or do homework? Obviously lunch! But I guess this is where I learn that self-discipline and time management play a key role in college success.

In addition, I'm finding that my old sleep habits are becoming less of a priority. Usually, I am so cranky without a solid seven or eights hours of sleep. But because I stay up late to be with my friends or to do homework, and then wake up early to go to my early classes, I am getting less and less sleep. Fortunately, I've recognized that this is not a good thing, so I am trying to make it a priority again. It just requires a lot of self-discipline: do I sacrifice my health or my social life?

At the end of the day though, your new friends are in the same boat as you. They are all just as tired as you, just as susceptible as you, and just as excited as you. College is an experience. For me, it has been the best time. For others, not so much. Experiences are what you make of them and the memories you take from them.