Whether you are starting college this fall, this spring, or even next year, this post is for you.

You are graduating high school, whether it was easy or challenging for you, harder days are ahead. This is the time of your life where you are choosing who you will be. The thoughts and ideas of childish days are gone. This is time where reality is knocking on your door.

Some of us support ourselves, get some support from parents, or are fully dependent on parents. To look from my standpoint, things are rough.

I am 18 years old, without either parent to depend on. I work two jobs, I have to figure out what I can pay for to make sure I will be okay for a school year on my own, not to mention four! I have a lot of stress and pressure on me, mainly because everything I need has to come from me in any way I have to provide it.

I have to sacrifice my summer with friends, sleep, time to eat. I have to set myself up so that I will not be in a tough spot in the middle of the school year. These rough conditions are due to me being on my own though. If you are a student who will have some support from family you might be in a different position.

You will want to be able to handle everything for yourself, but you will always have a soft landing before reaching rock bottom with the support they offer. You will learn how to provide for yourself, you will learn how to become an adult. You will still learn and grow after college, being that through those tough times, your family helped.

If you are the student who is fully dependent on your parents, financial problems will be a breeze for you. although, you are missing out on learning problem solving, budgeting, and struggling.

All three of these are vital to how we are when we are on our own. So, be happy that your parents are covering you. Be grateful. There are different struggles we will all face.

Nonetheless, we all will endure tough times. College is a big step, we will learn what friends are leaving and which are here to stay. We will learn that the things we did to pass classes in secondary school, will need to be amplified. We are going to have to try our best, in every thing we do the next four years.

Do not be discouraged, be brave. There will be troubles, but be ready and willing to face what will be thrown your way.I'm no expert, I'm just a freshman who is still looking forward to what college will throw my way.