College is not easy. So far, I can't say with certainty that college has been great or that it's brought me any amazing memories. It's okay if you feel the same.

In college, you have to take on an insane amount of coursework, learn to take care of yourself, and, most of the time, make a completely new set of friends while living miles away from home. Even worse, it comes all at once, and there's no learning curve. For a commuter like me, who hasn't had to take on living by themselves just yet, it's still a struggle to handle all my work and make new friends. But I keep reminding myself that all of it is normal. Don't be afraid that college won't be the greatest four years of your life because that's the reality for a lot of people.

Don't compare your experience to another's. On any campus, whether big or small, you are one of thousands of students. It's statistically impossible for you to have the same experience as everyone else. College has a unique way of humbling people- going from a small high school to a college campus intimidates everyone. You could be the most sociable person you know and still stay quiet in a lecture hall. You could be the brightest person you know and still mess up a load of laundry. No one walks onto campus and instantaneously has a 4.0 GPA Give yourself time to adjust because everyone has to. Some may have to more than others, but no one goes to college with it all figured out.

The good thing about college is that once you get used to it, you can make it whatever you want it to be. So, take it at your own pace, but just remember to keep going. I, for one, decided to adjust to the academics before anything else. Going into college, I was most concerned about the amount of work that was going to pile up, and I spent most of my time focusing on that. Now that I'm one year in, I'm looking forward to expanding my time on campus with clubs and friends. I also know people who chose to get involved right away and decided to take it all on at once, and that's great too because it works for them. They are happy with it and adjusting in their own way, at their own rate.

Don't think that you're alone in trying to adjust- college campuses offer plenty of spaces to go for support with whatever you're dealing with. Homesickness, stress, and feeling overwhelmed are all things that a counselor or adviser can help you understand and deal with. Don't be afraid to call home and ask for help with laundry or writing a paper, because almost everyone does it. Look for opportunities to adjust and take advantage of them. Be open to new experiences and join something outside of your comfort zone- once you find your groove there it can give you the confidence to conquer the rest.