The first week of college. Among either milestones in life, this has been the one that's been the most unpredictable. I didn't know what I exactly was expecting, definitely not what has happened. As seniors in high school, we were all told that this would be the first time that we'd actually be away from home. Despite brushing off all the warnings, I wouldn't say that I was unprepared coming into college; rather, I'd say I was unprepared for the pure freedom I possess.

I can come home whenever I want, go to dinner in the caf with my friends, play volleyball in the courtyard, etc., all without having to report my every location at every minute to my parents. Not that I don't do this to my roommates, but with them, it's more so that we can all go along together. It's not even things that are life-or-death situations that I don't have to tell my parents about anymore, it's having the freedom to decide to study in the library instead of my dorm, to go visit my friends on the floor above at 10pm and going on a run whenever I want.

How well you do, or not do, in college is an indicator of how hard you are willing to work. If you are determined to do well on that French quiz over material you haven't visited for months, you better be studying for hours-- not blowing it off and watching Netflix. If you want to be involved in clubs and organizations, you will take the time to send an email to the director or attend the first meeting. If you're going to be a well-rounded student, it comes from how much you make yourself be. In conjunction with clubs I want to join and staying on top of schoolwork, the ball is in my court.

That being said, it's easy to fall behind on chores, schoolwork, family and, believe it or not, your social life. The key is to find a healthy balance between all of them; clean your dish as soon as your done with it, study for a few hours everyday, catch up with friends in the caf, and make sure to call your mom and dad a couple times. It's only been a week in, but it's already evident how easy it is to fall behind and how hard it is to catch right back up. And despite all the differences from back home, I'm already calling East Lansing my new home.