As the school year draws near, I am starting to plan out what I’ll need to prepare for classes, clubs and work come the end of August. But I am also reliving the excitement of going to college for the very first time. From figuring out my financial aid to deciding on a twin bed set, here are a few memories that stuck:

1. The promised land.

Upon arriving at college on a cool August night, my dad parked the van and let me run outside to hug the “Welcome” sign. I remember being excited to meet my new roommates and explore the school I’d be spending the next four years in. I reflected on all the snowy mornings I’d walked to high school and all the times I fell asleep on a textbook after a day at school, track and work. Once I arrived on campus, it was worth every moment.

2. Welcome to the family!

I decided to apply for a pre-orientation program that lasted about a week before New Student Orientation. I reasoned that while this meant I would get less time at home, I would be more prepared and more comfortable for the semester ahead if I adjusted to campus early. Plus, it didn’t hurt to go to mini-lectures and seminars about on-campus resources.

What I got out of that experience was so much more than I had bargained for.

The program was called Connections. There, I found some of the best friends I’d meet in school. There wasn’t a moment I felt alone or supremely lost thanks to the coordinators and encouraging program advisers, not to mention all the fantastic kids that were also accepted into the program. Two years later, I’m enthralled to be serving as one of those program advisers! I’m ready to do my best to help my peers transition into college life feeling confident and enthusiastic!

3. Deposit number one.

I remember the sigh of relief I took when my parents and I made enough to send our first summer payment to the school in late August. After scholarships and grants, there was still a little bit more we had to put towards housing and the mandatory freshman meal plan. Definitely recommend studying your school’s financial aid website page and not being afraid to call and email the office. I wouldn’t have been able to come if I didn’t triple check my financial aid package!

4. Disney tears.

Getting used to a new school took my mind off of home for most of my freshman year. However, the most poignant moment I felt true homesickness had to be when my roommate and I watched "Lilo & Stitch" one night. We were reduced to near tears from the memories of our families, especially our sisters, and of home. Luckily, we were there to comfort each other!

5. Foodie fantasies.

Going into college, I knew I had to control what I ate to prevent my already high glucose and cholesterol from skyrocketing. My first trips into the dining hall were still very, very tempting. While I did well to eat my greens and keep away from too much sugar until February, everything turned that last semester. It may have been a combination of stress and the frustration of keeping myself away from the chocolate mousse in the desert bar. Bottom line — treat yourself to the open buffet once in a while, otherwise you may find yourself attacking the cookies and cake more than once in a day towards the end of an eventful year.

6. Study groups saved me.

It took me a while to find my best study habits in a college setting. In the end, I enjoyed reading over material before and after lectures followed by studying with friends once I already had a good idea of the material. I would start to form a lot of study groups my sophomore year. Freshman year, I was insistent on going to tutoring, office hours and question sessions to nail down a subject. Asking for help and repeating over problems with peers exponentially increased my learning speed and ability throughout my first year.

There are tons of other moments to relive. Whether you’re going into your freshman year or senior year, I hope you find your own memories going into the school year that you can look back on, learn from and smile at!