I’ve managed to make it halfway through my first semester of college! Here are a few things I’ve learned in my first eight weeks.

It takes way more effort than it should get up for class in the morning.

It shouldn’t be that difficult, but it is. Of course, your grades will probably drop if you don’t go to class, but that fact doesn’t so much when you need just a few extra minutes of sleep.

No matter how cute your shoes may look, if they’re uncomfortable, you’ll be in pain.

Yes, those shoes do look good with your outfit, but unless you want your feet to be crying by the end of the night, you should go put some other ones on.

You will miss real food.

Whether you hate dining hall food with a passion or don’t really mind it that much, you’ll be so excited to go out to a restaurant and get real, made-to-order food.

Caffeine is your best friend. Without it, you will die.

This is especially true during midterms when you pull an all-nighter to study and then have three classes to go to the next day.

It’s not college until you’re shivering under the showerhead at 6:45 am, questioning your whole life and all of your choices.

I’m pretty sure this happens to everyone at least once, if not more than once.

If you don’t have a car on campus, the bus will be your best friend.

You’ll get to know the schedule by heart, especially if you have to go places at certain times multiple days a week.

Is the Freshman 15 a real thing? Yes. Does anyone really care that much? No.

You eat those seven fresh-baked dining hall cookies, girl. We all understand. #dontjudge

Roommates are a hit or miss.

If you’re lucky like me, your roommates will unexpectedly become your best friends on campus. But they also may not be, even if it seemed like you were going to get along great when you were talking over the summer. Both are okay.

No matter how much you wanted to get out of your house and town, you will miss home, friends, and family a lot.

I was itching to leave for school over the summer because I was so excited to be in college, have freedom, and have awesome new experiences. I love it, but I miss home, my friends, and especially my family. Going home for fall break was fun, and it made me appreciate everything and everyone I have even more.