1. Saving money is hard! 

Coming to college like many this was my first time ever really living alone, so this also means that I also had to manage my own budget. I found that I spend most of my money on food. Of course I do have a meal plan, but when Sadler Dining Hall food is not cutting it, sometimes you just have to order something off Grub Hub.

And don't even get me started on how much money I spend on coffee, I would be embarrassed to even know the exact amount. To help myself budget for food I basically cut down on ordering poke bowls from Bleu Monkey, sad I know. And for the coffee situation I started trying to make coffee in my dorm, it's beginning to help me save a lot.

And also a little piece of advice, make sure you always have some cash on you, you might need quarters for laundry or even the vending machine if you need a mid class snack!

2. Stock up on any clothing item that is orange!

Something that I seriously underestimated about Syracuse was how important game-day fits are. I learned that I should've stocked up on anything orange that I could find before coming to school. People go so hard here and it's only natural to want to fit in with the crowd.

It seems silly, but Syracuse gear is so important here! Wearing orange of any kind brings all of us together, we are known to have the most school spirit for a reason!

3. High School guys and College guys ... not so different 

When I came to college I had this random idea that guys were going to somehow be way more mature in college than they were in high school. Let me just say that I was sadly mistaken. But from the bad experiences that I have ALREADY had with guys here, it helped me realize something pretty important.

Don't go out of your way to impress a guy! If they want to talk to you or get to know you they will, don't waste your breathe! For now I'll just tell myself that maybe the guys will get more mature as college goes on, or at least a girl can hope!

4. You are guaranteed to miss home!

So may people warned me about feeling homesick, but I never really imagined how bad it could really get. When I first got to school, I was fine and doing super well enjoying life in the 315. But then I don't know what it was when it hit the last week in October, all I could think about was going home!

I missed my family, my friends, my usual coffee spots, and most importantly my dog. But I also learned that leaving home also makes going home for break that much better. I love Syracuse so much, but nothing beats walking through the front door of your house.

5. Three words ... Vitamin C Gummies 

I was known for literally never getting sick, I was immune to every common cold when I was back home. So when I got to Syracuse I thought it would be the same thing. Yet, I like every other freshman got really sick leading up to Thanksgiving break. I learned that it is imperative to take preventative measures to lessen your chances of getting sick.

Vitamin C gummies are your best friend, take a couple a day and they really make a difference. And, this might not make a difference for some but for me, I found staying hydrated made me feel so much better! So keep your hydro flasks with you at all times!

6. Remember that you are here for school! 

When getting to college you can often be overwhelmed with your new insane amounts of freedom. But, something that I realized my first few months here is that I always need to remind myself that I am here for school, we all are! This means even if a class is easy to skip or the professor doesn't take attendance, still go to the class, you're paying for it.

Don't get too wrapped up in the social life because you should be paying attention to your grades and how you're doing in classes because that is what will benefit you in the future

7. You don't have to go out every weekend to have fun 

Syracuse University is known for being a pretty big party school, so the expectation when you first come here is that you and your friends will be going out to parties every weekend and even on week days. Though, something that I realized is that you don't have to be pressured to go out all the time.

If you don't feel like it, it's okay. I also realized that a lot of the times it's so much fun to just have a night in with your friends!

8. Don't be shy to meet new people! 

When I first got to school naturally I was really shy, but something that I realized really quickly was that everybody is in the same boat when it comes to meeting new people. All freshmen were just thrown into a new place with new people, they are all dying to make new friends too!

And beyond freshmen make sure you are always going out of your way to meet upperclassmen and even talking to your professors after class. I learned that I am here for a reason and I might as well make the most out of my time here and meet the most people possible.

9. Sleep is SO important!

I was NEVER a napping person before I came to college. And if you think that you aren't a napping person just wait till you come to college. I learned that it is so important to value your sleep. College means that you are going to be pulling all-nighters all the time. So on the weekends you need to catch up on sleep.

I also learned to value small 30 minute naps if I have a large break in between classes, it might seem sort but a small nap could make all the difference.

10. If it's meant to be it'll be!

Cliche I know! But since I got to school this has been my motto that I have been living by. I learned that I should not be so hard on myself if something doesn't go my way. I can't be mad at the world if the night doesn't go my way or if I don't do as well on my paper as I thought because if it was meant to happen that way then it'll happen that way.

I especially learned this in college because I don't know why but it is a lot easier to let go of things here than it was back in high school. College is a place for new experiences , you can't get too wrapped up in yourself!