Here I am, a second-semester freshman in college with just about six months of experience under my belt and I am the happiest I have ever been. Just a year ago, I remember how uneasy I felt about leaving home and starting college. Would I make friends? Would I die without my family? Would I be able to still see my boyfriend? Thankfully everything has turned out just fine, but here are a few words of encouragement I would've needed a short time ago.

You will finally find the people that you click with. No, I’m not talking about actual cliques. Popularity isn’t a thing anymore, simply because people finally grow up and there are way more fish in the sea than there were in high school. You will end up meeting your best friends in the least cliché way possible. Whether it's during a club or activity, in the dining hall or on a boat cruise during Welcome Week, it all works out sooner than later. These people will be there for you when you feel like dancing, crying, venting, laughing, puking, you name it. So don’t worry if your hometown friend group is a hot mess right now, college is your time to strut your stuff with a clean slate.

Remember those jeans you thought you couldn't rock? Well, now you sure can. We’ve all been there. You’re standing in the middle of American Eagle with a pair of ripped jeans in your hand that you really want to wear, but both the high school dress code and sticking to the status quo prevent you from buying them. Well, in college you can wear whatever your heart desires and no matter what, you’ll fit in just fine because college is all about being yourself.

You will absolutely be able to survive without your mom around. She’s been there for you literally since day one and now you wonder how you will ever survive without her for months at a time. What you won’t notice until you leave her is that she’s been subliminally teaching you how to survive on your own for years. You know how to help your best friend when she accidentally dyes all of her clothes blue, you know when it’s more than just a sore throat, and you know how to be the classy woman that she’s exemplified to you your entire life. Good news, she’s just a FaceTime away and you’ll be back watching Real Housewives on the couch with her soon.

Remember that continuing to celebrate your passion is key. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the loads of homework you are assigned or only wanting to go out all the time, but don’t forget to continue to do what makes you, you. Whether its participating in chorus, performing in musicals or playing a sport, don’t give up on what you love. What I have realized throughout my experience here is that you really appreciate the time that you get to take a step back from it all and be who you are. Finding your extracurricular niche will give you the drive come back to your dorm and knock that English essay out of the park.

The best advice I can give is to never forget to just be yourself. College is your time to shine. It’s where you can be who you are and gravitate toward people who radiate off of your personality. The people at home who matter most to you will keep in close contact, so don’t worry about losing your best friend from home or letting distance break your relationship with the person that you love. Leave home with a full heart and don’t forget to pack the most important thing, your positive attitude. I promise everything will be okay.

Now get ready for some crazy nights, intriguing classes, and a heart full of memories.