Growing up in New Jersey comes along with many valuable (or what we think is valuable) life lessons. Coming to college has opened my eyes up to the masses of people that weren't as fortunate as me and didn't grow up in New Jersey.

At a young age we learned what a real quality bagel taste like and the necessity to eat one for breakfast everyday was ingrained into all of our heads. We learned how to NOT pump gas which includes sitting in your car and popping open your gas tank.

We learned the extreme distinctions between QuickChek, 7-Eleven, and Wawa...and that Wawa is always the most desired. On nights where snow was supposed to come, we learned to wear our pajamas inside out in hope of a snow day.

Through watching our parents and the rest of the people on the road, we learned how to be aggressive drivers and inherit a case of road rage. We learned what good pizza tastes like and that it's okay to eat it seven times a week.

We learned that diners are magical, and will always be around the corner. Our prime location taught us how convenient having NYC in your backyard can be.

In school, we learned to hate the time of year when we were forced to take the NJASK. We grew to like field trips to the Liberty Science Center and Ellis Island.

We learned how to talk loud to get your point across and compete with the other aggressive people constantly around you. We learned how to walk fast and strategically, and to cross a street quickly without getting hit by a car.

Most importantly, we learned the importance of diversity, the celebration of each other's differences, and kindness. We learned how to be strong and confident individuals while understanding the purpose of affection and hospitality. We learned how to take care of the people we love, and be a good friend.