Since I started college at Austin Peay State University in the Fall of 2014, I have learned more than I ever thought I would. I have learned things from how to write citations in MLA, APA, and Chicago to what time Starbucks closes every single evening (which is arguably the greatest skill I've learned to date). This is a list of things I wish I could go back and tell myself, organized by each year of college I've completed.

Freshman Year (2014-2015)

1. Do NOT make your schedule with huge time gaps between classes. You will get tired of the library very very quickly.

2. The ex you aren't over yet will definitely attend the same college as you and walk past you at least three times a week and ignore your existence completely. Oh, and you'll get to see him walk hand in hand with his new girlfriend. You will see them, you will turn around, fast-walk to the nearest bathroom, and cry your eyes out.

3. They tell you making friends is the easiest thing in the world in college, but you may forget how. People will look at you because, despite your best efforts, everyone will know you are a freshman. Not many people from your high school will talk to you, other than the awkward "Hi! How was your summer?". Being yourself is the easiest way to make friends.

4. Get to campus EARLY to get a parking spot. Otherwise, you will spend your first day of classes driving around while having a panic attack and crying your eyes out because you're late for your first class.

5. If you see a line forming outside the University Center, get in it. Chances are, it's for either free food or a free tee shirt.

6. He wasn't everything you thought he was. You can be happy without him. It will hurt for a while, but, in the words of the great Christina Yang, "He is not the sun- YOU are."

Sophomore Year (2015-2016)

1. Your ex and his girlfriend will split, and she will become one of your very best friends and one of the sweetest people you will ever meet.

2. Buying coffee every day gets really, really expensive.

3. You will second guess everything- Including your major. Don't worry; everyone does. It's a miracle you haven't changed it by now.

4. Literally, NO ONE knows exactly what they're doing- you're not alone.

5. Don't buy anything from the bookstore. Chances are, you can find it for $10 less at either Walmart, Amazon, or the dollar store.

6.You will see couples everywhere, and it will hurt like a reopened papercut. But don't worry- You will go over to a classmate's house to work on a project, and be introduced to her very handsome brother. He will make you laugh and give you butterflies like no other man has before, and he will make you believe in love again.

7. Your mom will never stop being your best friend and biggest inspiration to keep moving forward. She will be there for every night spent crying over the printer and each time you hate yourself for missing a class to do homework. She will support you beyond measure, even when you talk to her in the tone she doesn't deserve. Be nicer to her. She is doing everything she can.

Junior Year: (2016- Present)

1. You are not as thin as every single girl on campus, and that is okay.

2. You will take a Women's Studies class, and you will realize that the first man you loved did something to you that you did not have to be okay with. The term "Sexual Assault" will be given a definition that is all too real, but you will be inspired to help others who have gone through the same thing. But from this experience, you will meet some of the greatest people you will ever know. You'll have to stop root beer from coming out of your nose during a late night trip to a burger place with these wonderful people, because of a lame joke that everyone forgot. They will feel more like family than friends, and it will be magical.

3. Don't laugh at the incoming freshman when they can't find a building (unless they're overly-cocky and annoying). Go help them. That was you not too long ago.

4. Chegg is God's gift to college students

5. Spending a night out with friends is fun, but coming home to cuddles and Netflix is so much better.

6. Procrastinating won't help your stress level, but you'll probably still do it.

7. Anxiety is loud, but love is louder. You can do this.

My point is that you will learn more than you could ever imagine during your time in college. You will learn information useful to your future career, you will learn information that you will throw away as soon as you're done with that stupid Math 1010 class (no, I still haven't used the gerrymandering technique since I learned it). You will learn who you are when your friends aren't around, and you will forget why you stuck around the friends you came into college with. College is an entirely different world, and it will change you... And that's okay.