Honestly, there are way too many things that I could talk about regarding college, but, I will try to minimize them to what I think are the most important (based on my own experiences).

So here it goes.

1. Adjustment Will Happen

For a handful of people, there will be adjustment to living on their own (with or without a roommate). Sometimes, people are brought up a bit too sheltered and they don't really know how to live on their own. But, as hard as it may be, you will have to learn to adjust to living on your own.

2. You Will Be Challenged

For me, I was challenged in living on my own, taking my passions seriously, considering what was important to me, taking care of myself (physically), watching my money supply, and time management. Of course, these are all learning processes, but they will all challenge you, some more than others, but they will all be for your benefit.

3. You Will Meet Different People

Since moving onto campus, I have met people from around the United States, and from a handful of countries too, such as India, Jordan, and Germany. Even within people who aren't that far from the college, I have met people who have different interests and passions than I do, but that doesn't mean I can't be their friend.

4. Freaking Take Care of Yourself

I'm being dead serious when I say this. Most of my friends, including my mom, have always advised me to take care of myself; make sure I'm eating properly, make sure I'm getting enough sleep, make sure I'm taking the time to relax every now and then so I don't lose my mind.

But seriously, you have to take care of yourself. Yes, you may have a ton of work to do, but you can't function properly if you aren't alive. You will suffer physically, your grades will suffer, and everything will get much worse. I am in no way demeaning school work. Not at all. But, your health is a higher priority than your grades.

5. College Is About Trying New Things

I have tried, and will try, only a couple of things that I would not normally do, or ever thought that I would do. For example, though I only did it for about 3 days, I started going to the gym with my roommate and a few other friends; something I never saw myself doing. Additionally, in the fall, I have registered to take a photography class, photography being something I never took seriously, and next spring semester, I am planning on auditioning for a role in my friend's senior thesis play. And even if I don't get the role, I'd still like to be involved in some way.

What I'm saying is, being around awesome people has exposed me to new ideas, and it's about trying them. For my roommate, he likes to workout. I never thought I'd work out, but I gave it a try, and will take it a bit seriously in the fall.

Additionally, I "applied" to be the cartoonist for The Elm, the student-run newspaper on my campus. I make simple comics, but this too, is something I never saw myself doing.

6. College Is Finding What You're Passionate About

When I first entered college, I knew that I was passionate about English, and I knew that I wanted to do something with (creative) writing. But after completing my first year, I have not only declared an English major with a creative writing minor, but I have also declared an Art and Art History major with a concentration in Studio Art. And I wouldn't have done this and realized how much I love creative writing and art had I not taken creative writing classes and a studio art class.

7. Snacks Are Your Best Friend

Because, when it's 11 pm, and everything is closed, and you don't have a car or money to drive to the nearest McDonald's, the snacks and food stored in your room will save your life.

8. Money Is Not Your Best Friend

Since you're on your own now, you need to watch your bank account. Whether it be media online such as Amazon or Netflix, late-night restaurant runs, going out to eat, buying gifts for yourself or friends, or paying some sort of bill, you need to watch how much you spend. Because even though college is about growth and experience, it's also about paying for that.

9. Your Roommate Can Be Your Best Friend

Whether it be sharing dank memes with one another, listening to each other when we have problems, or just having a meal together, my roommate and I have become the best of friends. Well, I'm still hesitant to use the word "best", but he is a very close friend of mine now. Some people are not as fortunate to have a roommate so supportive as mine, but I am blessed to call him my roommate.

10. Get Involved in Clubs and Organizations

Would you rather spend four years at college doing nothing but studying or spend four years studying but also growing as an individual? I'm pretty sure we all know the answer. Speaking for my school, there are clubs for practically any kind of person. And it's up to you to know what you want to do and what you want to get involved in. However, do not get involved with so many clubs. Keep it at a steady number of two or three, maybe even four. As long as you don't stretch yourself thin.

For example, here are two clubs I got heavily involved in: Campus Christian Fellowship and Habitat for Humanity:

The Habitat for Humanity Spring Break 2017 team at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

A group photo of members of Campus Christian Fellowship for the 2016-2017 school year.

11. You Will Have Fun

College can be fun. One time, I asked my RA (Resident Assistant, for those who don't know), Sabrina, if I was going to have fun in college, since I was told I was going to before I moved in. She said, "You were lied to".

However, I did have fun.

And everyone has fun in a different way. I had fun from the classes I took, the clubs I was a part of, the people I met, the jobs I had, the events I participated in, the conversations I had, the connections I made, and much more. So, it varies from person to person, but even when you're stressed out about your work, in the words of my friend Brad, it's when the stressful work you're doing is what you're passionate about that college really becomes fun.

12. You Will Meet And Make Lifelong Friends

You will meet a lot of people, and chances are those people will become your friends, and chances are those friends will be ones you'll want around for a very long time. Like mine:

End of Year Habitat party

Birthday Ball 2017

The friends I made from the floor we lived on (Middle Hall Second Floor)

There are many more photos and things I could talk about, but hopefully these are enough to demonstrate the things I learned during my first year at college.