The transition from high school to college is one of the most challenging changes of all. While it can be so tempting to dive straight into your new college life, advice from other students can be more than helpful. One of the smartest things to do before move-in day is to speak with an older student about the tips they have from their own experiences. Here are a few things to remember before that monumental day.

1. Things change, people change, you change.

I think I told my best friend, favorite teacher and mom 1,000 times "I'm going to be the same person six months from now that I am today." Then, there's always the infamous "we're way too good of friends, we're going to talk at least once a week." News flash: we were wrong. College is a MAJOR culture shock. You go from child to (kinda) adult in like .02 seconds, and while that can be a good thing, it also comes with a TON of growth. Don't expect to be the same person you were in high school and for the LOVE of god please realize that while your friends will always be there for you. The first few months of college are a whirlwind of insanity. Try and remember that your friends change too. Nine times out of ten you go in different directions and that's probably for the best.

2. Your parents WILL be the most stable thing in your life.

As annoying as it may be for your parents to take 1,000 pictures at graduation and cry every time that one dang Subaru commercial comes on, embrace it. You are going to miss them SO much once you get to school. Not to mention the fact that everything is changing but them. They will be the ones that you call when you fail your first exam, get hurt by your first frat boy and especially when you realize for the first time in your life, you're sick AND alone–that's the actual worst. On an opposite note, as mentioned previously, the first few weeks of school are a MESS, but as much as it seems to be an adjustment for you, it's even more of one for your parents. Try to call them as much as you can and understand that them making the drive to see you for lunch is just as much for them as it is for you.

3. "Popular," won't be a thing in a few months.

One of the best parts of college is a fresh start. Not that being head cheerleader, student body president, prom queen and valedictorian isn't great–no really, that's awesome–it's just that the second you set foot on your campus there are 400 other valedictorians and to be frank, no one cares how many Instagram followers you have. Be humble, you are the "babies," on campus, and as long as you're nice to the upperclassmen, they'll be nice to you.Just PLEASE do not think for one second that you are better than anyone else. College is a beautifully even playing field, you have no idea how nice it is.

4. Being someone that "doesn't need to study," isn't a thing anymore.

The workload of college is substantially different from the workload of the high school. It can be very easy to overlook the rigor of college and get caught up in the social aspect of your new life. Typically about halfway through first-semester, or after your first failing exam grade, you realize you need to pick it up. Save yourself the stress and start off as strong as possible.

5. A laundry room in your house is something to not take for granted.

There are few things worse than having to stand in a puddle of dirty water and wait an hour to do three weeks worth of laundry at 10:30 p.m on a Sunday. Not to mention, most places you have to pay (seems like something that should be included in our huge housing bill doesn't it?). Before wishing your last semester at home away, try and appreciate the nice clean laundry room that does not have angry frat boys fighting over dryers. If you're someone blessed enough to have a mother–or father–willing to do your laundry for you, hug them all of the time and maybe even buy them lunch. They are a godsend and you're going to miss them every time you look at your dirty clothes hamper.

6. Despite what people tell us, professors DO care–but only if you do too.

Professors–most of the time–really love what they do. Even though they may come across as angry or strict in class, they typically are not like that at ALL when you meet them one-on-one. Every university I have ever toured or had any interaction at all with has required their professors to have office hours every week. This is a time for you to meet your professor personally and ask questions you may not have wanted to ask in front of 400 other students. Most professors want to see you do well and they hold these office hours for your benefit. Also, try to make an effort to get to know a few of your professors on a more personal level. Making additional connections and having someone to write a recommendation is invaluable.

7. There are way more resources in college than you realize, USE THEM.

Colleges offer a tremendous amount of resources in all fields. When you attend orientation or even take your first tour, your guide will be the first one to tell you that students almost never use these resources. Assigned a paper? There's a writing center to help. Have an interview coming up? There are career service counselors trained especially to help you. We are all paying a ridiculous amount of money to attend school. Make every dollar count and use the resources that are there–and FREE–to help you.

8. Save everything you can over the summer, saying no to eating out for a third time in a week is nearly impossible.

Even if your parents are offering to pay for school, the stereotype of broke college kids is a very real thing. Between dorm shopping, eating out more than you would like to admit and paying for textbooks, money flies. You don't realize how often you'll be sick of the dining hall and looking for takeout. The summer before you leave for college, work as much as you can, make as much as possible and save everything. On the reverse of that as well, don't be afraid to go out and get dinner with your friends once you're at school. Missing out because you wanted to save ten dollars is a waste.

9. Bringing 25 pairs of shoes is a waste of time, energy, and space.

You are going to overpack. There is no way around it. I thought before leaving for school that planning out the things I need would make packing easier but it doesn't. If there's any advice at all when it comes to packing for college, it would be to be honest with yourself. If you never wore a pair of shoes at home, you probably won't wear them in college. Think about whether or not you're planning to rush, if you like to dress up for dinner frequently and which pairs of pants you actually wear on a regular basis. Most importantly though, try and remember that in most cases, you aren't attending college across the world–if you are, go you. You can always exchange outfits when you go home. There's no need to pack winter clothing in August–unless you live in North Carolina, then pack everything. It could be 30 degrees and snowing one day, then 85 degrees and sunny the next.

10. Time FLIES in college, seriously. Blink and it'll be Christmas.

Your first semester of college is going to be one of the most exciting times of your life. It may not seem like it now but it will go SO fast. Don't underestimate how close August really is to December, next thing you know you'll be preparing for exams. Also, remember that everyone around you is going through the same new challenges and experiences that you are. You're never alone and in the blink of an eye, your school will feel like home.