College is something we all look forward to. It something where we can start a new life and be a whole new person. It is somewhere we can grow into the adult that we are today. As a freshman this year, I wish I was told a few things to prepare me for the big journey I am about to embark on.

1. Your roommate is going to be cool.

You have just walked in your dorm to find someone you have barely any idea about. Someone you may have had a small amount of conversation with. I mean, like, a couple texts back and forth on who is bringing what and how do we want to “decorate” the room. At the end of the day, your room will be a mish-mosh of abstract things that make it feel like an awkward home. But by the end of your first semester, those four walls will become a home for the both of you.

2. That first week is going to be awkward.

The first week you are in school is going to be weird. No doubt about it. If you go to a school that allows freshman to move in a week early to get ready. Get ready for events where you are forced to make friends. Get ready for what my RA calls “fundatory”, mandatory fun, events. These events will make you feel weird because you are forced to hang out with the people on your floor and forced to become a social butterfly. Also, know that your roommate may not want to hang out with you. And that is okay! They are going to have a separate life.

3. The friends you make will be like your second family.

Once you have found a group of friends that actually tolerate you and your weirdness feels like a weight has been lifted. Yes, you are at college to go to school and further your education, but you need some sort of support system. These new friends will literally be your second family. When you are laying bed dying from some sickness that is going around campus and feels like your world is about to collapse all around you, these are the people that will be there for you. They will make you all the soup and tea that you could ever want. They will make sure that you take your medicine at the right times and right amounts. But also, these are the people you will come running to when you are having a rough day. They will be there for you no matter happen during your day. They are there for you. Cheering you on like any other family member would.

4. Crying is not a sign of weakness.

Having an emotional breakdown is okay. You are going to have days where you feel as if the world is fighting against you and you seem to just keep messing things up. But let me tell you, at the end of the day it will be all worth it. All the tears and angry pillow throws will be worth it. Plus sometimes you just need a good cry. It feels nice to just let it all out and feel all your emotions. Plus you feel so energized afterward and you feel like you can conquer the world.

5. It’s not “Goodbye” it’s “See you later”.

You have made a lot of friends in high school and now it is time to leave them. Now a few of them you will keep in touch with and ask the obligatory question “how’s college going for you”? Let me tell you; it gets old, and it gets old fast. Most of your family will ask you the same question around the holidays when you see them. But what I am really getting at is that you are going to lose some people you thought you were really close to. And that is fine. You are going off on your own journey and you may cross paths in the future, but who knows.

6. Your best friend will always be your best friend.

Now I know I just said that you will lose some friends, but there are always exceptions to things in life. This is someone who most likely will be in your life for a while. Someone who you will call late at night to complain about life and all the problems it has brought you. Now yes, they might go to another school, but they still are your best friend. They have put up with you through high school, and they might as well put up with you in college.

7. “I am just a phone call away”.

Now no one can prepare you for leaving your parents. In my case, it was leaving my mom that crushed me. This was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life and I am about 95% sure that it will never be easy. They have been there since day one and will always be there. They made you the person that you are today, and all of a sudden when you see a their car driving away, everything hits you at once. That is the moment you realize that you are alone and on your own for the first time. Everything becomes real and everything changes. But don’t fear; you will be fine, and you will be able to cope with not having them there.

8. College is not like the movies.

I am pretty sure you will hear this a lot before going to college and you believe them. Trust me, I did, but there is still a small fiber of your being that holds onto the fact that college will be this crazy wild party place. But really, it isn’t. I am not saying that parties won't happen, but you live on campus and the only way you find out about them is through some awkward person that sits next to you in psychology class.

9. Changing your major is acceptable.

Now you might be thinking that the major you picked is what you want to do for the rest of your life, and that might actually be true. But, you might find out that it is actually something that is more of a hobby than something you want to do for most of your career. A good friend of mine changed hers five times so far. Just make sure that you do your research and figure out what is right for you. Don’t just change your major because of a bad grade on a test. A lot is going to happen and you are not going to do so well in some of your classes, and that is ok. Just know what you are getting yourself into before you dive on in.

10. Lastly, just be you.

College is a place full of diversity. It is literally the place where you become who you are. You will meet people who are just like you and are just as passionate about the things you like. It’s where you are going to blossom into who you are going to be in your adult life. College is where you try new things and break down walls that held you back before. But also, you need to remember where you come from and never forget that. Things will be bumpy and rough, but you can do this.