1. Reflect on the education you are getting.

Appreciate the privilege.

2. Thank your roommates.

I mean, actually thank them because holy freaking guacamole, you might have been a nightmare sometimes and they have been joyful constant in a year of high-highs and low-lows. (P.S. Long live Hullabaloo 443 and my absolute queens: Mere, Lauren, and Maddie).

3. Visit the least-worst dining hall and don’t groan at the options.

It is sustenance, gosh darn it!

4. Really think about your major.

If you dread your classes already, now is the time to switch to something that does not make you want to actually expire. Don’t set yourself up for a career of unhappiness. Even if you switch to something weird that only you like and people around you don’t understand your specialization, you’re the only person who has to live with your life choices.

5. Pray in adoration for this year.

When you view your life with a grateful mindset, everything will seem better.

6. Check-in on your high-school buds.

Maybe they need the grounding of older friends.

7. Kill it on your finals.

All-nighters, energy drinks, I don’t care - do what you have to do.

8. By any means necessary, use up your dining-dollars or meal-swipes.

Personally, I refuse to let my leftover money go to funding the next superfluous sports stadium.

9. Get those digits of that cutie who you sit next to in class every day!

College is a rare and fun time – your dating life should not be timid and subdued. What are you waiting for?

10. Okay. Well, maybe that last one is a lot to ask for. But at least keep in close contact with the friends you made this year!

11. Listen to all the songs that defined this year and let the nostalgic feelings pulse through your brain.

(For example, this year it was Taylor Swift’s “Reputation” and many iconic R&B songs – revel in your generation’s culture while you are young!)

12. Do that one thing you always imagined yourself doing in college.

(e.g. go out dancing or start your own organization).

13. Have a general idea of your collegiate trajectory.

I am not talking about excessive planning or expectations. Just know approximately if you’re on schedule to graduate on time and when you could study abroad, etc.

14. Thank the professors who changed your view on classes.

Learning from them is cool! Maybe they have awakened your life passions. Also, teachers like positive reinforcement, too.

15. Call your parents and verbally express your appreciation for them.

They played an instrumental role in helping you adjust this year.

16. (Try to) sign up for all the classes that you are taking next semester.

Sorry if you cannot. Shout-out to overcrowding in public universities, am I right?

17. Look around disgustedly and realize that you let your room get messier second semester.

18. Frantically clean before you move out.

19. Look forward to your summer, but still, live in the moment!

20. Be proud of how you have mastered the art of doing all types of laundry.

21. Have yourself a ~ feels-fest ~ and look at all the photos you have taken since orientation.

22. Take a moment to value the organizations that you’ve accidentally become over-involved in.

(Think Theta and Join Odyssey, by the way).

23. Volunteer and give back to the community.

This place has graciously adopted you as their own for the next four years, thus it deserves some love.

24. Look at yourself in the mirror for too long and wonder if you have avoided the "Freshman 15."

25. Snap out of it and remember that body positivityis hip!

Plus, if you’re healthy, who cares?

26. Get excited that you can see your dog for an entire summer.

Has he grown? Does his tiny brain remember little old me?

27. Taste every single brand of cereal offered in the dining halls.

Or make an ultimate salad in the cafeteria.

28. Enroll in summer classes, get hired at a part-time “warm-body” job, nab an internship, or become a camp counselor.

Do something over the longgg summer to make it go by.

29. Be content with all you have done this year.

It easy to regret having done some things or not done other things – the grass is always greener, yadda-yadda. But please understand that we all have different journeys. All of the paths are valid because they have culminated in YOU.