As freshman year comes to a close, I've realized there are so many things that many of us have learned throughout our first year in college! Whether you realize it at first or not, there are so many lessons to be learned when you remove yourself from your comfortable life and you place yourself somewhere totally new. Learning to live without your family, and with complete strangers, is difficult but there is a lot that it has personally taught me. If you haven't gone to college yet, read this to learn some tips and tricks to be fully prepared for your first year of college!

1. Learning how to share

If you've never shared a room before, it was probably quite the adjustment. Not only sharing a room, but sharing a bathroom, and constantly being with people. You most likely found your favorite quiet study spot outside of your room to spend your time. Your roommates won't be like your family and you have to be ready for a change of pace, so be kind and give everyone some time to get adjusted.

2. Being sick without your mom sucks

In all honesty, this is probably the worst part about being away at school, am I right? Being sick without your mom there to take care of you is awful and it makes you really thankful for being at home and the small things like bringing you soup and medicine that they do. Also, if you are sick, your roommates will want nothing to do with you because no one has time to be sick at school.

3. Budgeting

Whether that's meal plan money or real world money, freshman year will teach you how to budget if you didn't already practice that!

4. How to not gain the freshman 15

Honestly, it is a real thing. But it is definitely preventable! Most freshmen have learned to not just eat fast food because of the consequences but, lucky for us, we do a lot of walking to get to class! Or, join an intramural team to beat the freshman 15 and to let your competitive side out a little!

5. Your parents aren't here to make you work hard

Working hard is all up to you. Yes, you are officially on your own and your parents can't lock you in your room to do homework so you need to be motivated to work hard. Prioritize your time so that you always have enough time for homework and studying.

6. Organization

Your mom isn't at college to tell you when your classes are, where your study group is meeting, or when you need to have assignments turned in! Get a planner to stay organized or you probably became best friends with your Reminder app or your iCal!

7. Procrastination

if you're going to procrastinate, do it well. Be smart about how much homework you can put off, and how much is just too much to put off for later.

8. Have fun

Put the books down and go submerge yourself into the world outside your desk! Okay, reality check, most of us are embracing the fun aspect of college, but if you didn't -- go outside and study later!