We all anticipate the day that we no longer have tests, homework or 8 am classes. Everyone tells us that college will be the best four years of our lives, but we don't really notice it while it's happening.

In May I put on that cap and gown for the last time and received my diploma. Now it's fall and students are going back to classes, scrambling to get their textbooks at a discount price, and moving back into the dorms, and for the first time in my life I don't get to join them. I'm also reflecting back on my time as a college student and realizing that everyone was right—it was the best four years of my life.

Here are just a few of the things I'm going to miss about college now that I'm an adult with responsibilities.

1. Treating myself to new clothes for school.

Without school I no longer have the excuse to "treat myself" to an entirely new wardrobe guilt-free. It's a necessity to get new clothes for a new school year, but being a graduate and having to wear the same style to work all the time doesn't really justify buying new clothes I want to wear for my days off.

2. The ability to make new friends just by having a class with them.

I never realized how easy it was to make friends in college. Now, the only places I can really make new friends are either at work, which can sometimes conflict with working, or at the bars, and let's be honest, just because a girl in the ladies bathroom says, "Oh my god I love your outfit. Let's be friends," does not mean you will still be friends after she sobers up.

3. Sleeping in because I was smart and didn't schedule a class before noon.

I loved sleeping. I used to sleep in until almost 10 am every day and my first class wouldn't be until noon. Now I work all the time and I'm up at 5 am, or if I'm lucky I get to sleep in until 7 am, every day. Cherish your sleep and the random naps between classes.

4. Not having to cook my own meals.

If your college cafeteria is anything like mine was, it wasn't the best food, but it wasn't awful either. Now that I've graduated, though, I really miss being able to just walk in, swipe my ID and eat a burger without having to lift a finger. I hate cooking and spending a lot of money so that leaves minimal options. The food I miss most is the breakfast food, but I hardly ever woke up in time to go eat there.

5. The community that came with living in the dorms.

At the time that I was actually living in the dorms, it wasn't my favorite thing. It was always pretty noisy and there were people coming and going at all hours of the night. However, like most things, you can adjust and get used to doors slamming during the middle of the night. Now, looking back on things, I really miss the community of dorm life. Even when I was completely alone in my room because my roommate was in class or something, I never actually felt alone because I knew there were still others in my dorm hall that I could go talk to if I wanted. I could probably still do that because I live in an apartment now, but I feel like it's frowned upon to just knock on someones door and say, "Hey, wanna hang out? I'm lonely."

6. Late night adventures with new friends.

I'm not sure if everyone does this in college, but when I was a student I would go on late night adventures with friends. This usually meant we would all walk to Taco Bell or McDonald's and just talk and be weirdos, but it was always fun. Or freshman year, during finals week, we all rented out the common area in our dorm building and stayed up watching movies until 4 am. Not the smartest idea, but I think it was that night that I really solidified some of the great friendships that I still have today. But once you graduate, those days are behind you because you get used to saying, "I can't. I work in the morning." You can be tired for class, but you can't really make it through a whole work day on two hours of sleep (well, you can, but it feels like crap).

7. Taking classes that were fun and taught useful skills.

I actually miss some of the classes I took in college. I wish I would have taken more classes that were just for fun because it didn't cross my mind that I wont have this opportunity again. I especially wish I would have taken a language class in college because now, if I want to learn a new language, I have to basically teach myself. Also I maybe should have taken a cooking class or two. It's not so cool when you are 22 and want to put on your application "expert Ramen maker."

8. Everything.

I miss pretty much everything about college now that it's done. Even the things I hated. When I look back on them now, I think to myself, "it wasn't that bad." I miss all the little moments that I had and the lifelong memories that have been made from them. Enjoy this time because you'll never get to experience it again.