I was born in Chicago and lived in metro-Detroit all my life. My childhood consisted of regular trips to Downtown Chicago for various holidays, family visits and random trips for fun. I refer to most (if not all) carbonated beverages as "pop" and pronounce "eggs" as "aye-gs." My entire wardrobe consisted of jeans, boots (Uggs) and sweaters.

My point is, I'm a full-blown northerner. Before coming to South Carolina for school I had been in the South three times. Maybe four. Needless to say, I was very intimidated by the change of atmosphere.

I had visited the University of South Carolina three times before deciding it was the place for me. Immediately, I fell in love with the atmosphere, the southern hospitality and the beauty of the USC campus. It was the one university that felt like a home away from home. From my visits and what I had read, I figured the South couldn't be much different from up North.

Oooh, was I wrong.

This transition has been a wild one. Wild, but welcomed and adored. I threw myself into this adventure and new lifestyle without knowing what I was in for. For those of you who are about to make the same transition, I have some tips:

1. Befriend a Southerner

I was lucky with this one - my roommates are all from the South. Two are from 20 minutes from campus and the other from a few hours away. My roommates quickly became not only my best friends but my go-to source for information on Southern culture. They answer any question I have (usually while laughing because of my ignorance). Being friends with those who know the ropes and the ins-and-outs is super helpful in finding your own way.

2. Accept That You'll Get Homesick

Many (if not most) college kids get homesick from time to time. I'm not talking about the traditional miss-your-family homesickness, though (although that is tough as well). I'm talking about missing your home as in town, city, state. As much as I love it here in the south, I sometimes find myself missing the life of the northern cities. I find myself missing nice dinners in downtown Detroit, sweater weather and shopping in downtown Chicago.

Northern cities are just different from Southern ones in mass, construction and overall vibe. Missing your home, especially one you've lived in all your life, can hurt a lot. As much as it can and will hurt, though, know that it'll always be there! Knowing that it's A-Okay to miss your home and family makes it easier to get over the fact. Allow yourself to have your little moment and then be sure to appreciate what's around you. Take the time to make your dorm/apartment/house feel home-y as you need.

3. Know That There Are Others Like You

Chances are, you are not the only northerner at your southern school. I have met people from all over the country within my first two semesters at USC. Yes, the environment is completely different, but there are people going through the same transition. Other northerners are having to get used to the new lifestyle as well. Even knowing this fact can make all the difference in your comfort level and confidence.

4. Explore!

Something that really helped me to feel more comfortable with the change of environment was when my roommates would take me around Columbia, SC. They showed me the downtown area and even took me to their hometowns. This helped me to feel like I wasn't an alien on a college campus, but a person who's simply had a change of scenery for a while. Once I started to get a grasp of the world outside of the USC Campus, I began to feel as though I belong in this environment - in this setting. Getting to know your surroundings is so important to help you settle into your new (maybe temporary) home.

5. Be Your Bad-A** Northern Self

Honestly, southerners are just as curious about you and your lifestyle as you are of them and theirs. You may be the one moving onto their turf, but most of them are curious as to why. I get asked all the time about the weather and climate of Michigan, as well as about what sports and trends are popular up north. I get asked what big northern cities are like, and how I've managed to survive the snowy weather. My southern friends like to point out my northern accent just as much as I do their southern one.

Being from the north and going to a southern school has turned out to be something I wear and flaunt proudly. I honestly feel so cool saying I'm from Michigan when people ask (something that I have never felt cool saying). It's a conversation starter! It also differentiates you from the pack. Being from the north means you have different experiences and maybe different opinions. These differences are so valuable in developing friendships and will bring so much diversity. Never try to act as you feel a southerner should because you will definitely stand out like a sore thumb. Be your bad-a** northern self, and people will love (and maybe even be fascinated with) you.

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All-in-all, being a northerner in the South is awesome. It's incredibly cool to be able to experience first hand how different the lifestyles are in the North and South. The transition is a big one, but I've loved it. A big part of having a smooth transition into a new environment is having a good attitude about it. Being open and excited about this change helped me to fall in love with my new lifestyle.

So, take a deep breath and prepare for an incredible adventure!