College is a time of self-discovery. For most, it’s the first time you’re out on your own, not living at home. And while the goal is to walk away in four years time with a fountain of knowledge on the major of your choosing, our higher education gives us a completely different kind of education, sometimes without us even realizing it. College teaches us:

1. How to self-motivate.

You've graduated high school, and now you're in the big leagues. Your Professor won’t call your parents if you don’t turn in a homework assignment, and in many cases, there are very few (if any) second chances. You need to encourage yourself to get your work done.

2. Sometimes a good night’s sleep is the most important thing you can give yourself.

Coming from someone who drinks about a pot of coffee a day, I can tell you from personal experience, sometimes it’s best to put down the cup and get some shut eye. Yes, the coffee may keep you in a zombie-like state of awakeness, but will your paper really be that good if you write it in a semi-trance? And how useful will you be in class tomorrow?

3. How to let go of toxic people.

Maybe you met in your first class as a freshman, you were scared, alone and just needed a friend. That’s chill, we’ve all been there. But now the relationship has turned sour. You’re probably a fantastic human being, and you deserve more than someone who’s going to disrespect you. I’ve moved around a lot, and in most cases, the people I’ve continued to have relationships with are not the ones I expected to. But I wouldn’t trade those people for the world, and I’m so glad to have let go of the toxins in my life.

4. How to give people a chance to surprise you.

Following the same vein, the friends I have from my past, the ones who give me support, unconditional love and continued friendship, are not the people I thought they would be. They’re people I originally didn’t click with or didn’t think I would click with. But when I gave them a chance, and they gave me one in return, it turned out that these friendships would lead to some of the most fun I’ve ever had. Those relationships are what keep me smiling on bad days.

5. How to be your best you.

To be honest, I feel like this is a lesson I’ll be learning for the rest of my life. But breaking away from what you grew up with and learning what kind of person you are without the crutches of familiarity shows you how strong you are and what you’re capable of.

Ultimately, college is just one stop on a very long journey of self-discovery. We’re standing at the edge of a cliff and gathering the strength to jump, hoping that there won’t be a bunch of sharp rocks at the bottom. But there will be other cliffs to stand on. This cliff just helps you get to the next one. That’s what’s exciting about it all, though. Who knows what’s next? All I know is that my three years (so far) of college have reshaped me and helped define the kind of person I’ll be tomorrow, prepared for my next cliff dive.