We all feel the upcoming excitement building up as we count down the days until move-in day is here. New year, new people, new memories, but let's not forget about the same old problem us college students face--money. It seems we never have enough of it to go around, leaving us in a hard predicament on whether or not the true necessities are worth spending the couple dollars. For most of us, it is a hard transition to go from a house full of parents cooking, cleaning, and ultimately taking care of whatever essentials we need on a day-to-day basic to the cheap college lifestyle of eating ramen everyday. Going off to college is a full reality check.

Let's just say its always fun being in college, but not always easy. Sometimes you have to learn how to pinch pennies and cut corners in order to make it through the semester. With money being the key to almost everything, we can all say we have had these same thoughts before.

1. Feeling prepared after working all summer and saving up every penny made.

2. But as much as you prepare, no one is ready for the first bill that comes in the mail.

3. Even after you think the worst has passed, syllabus week comes along to remind students textbooks are not covered in tuition costs.

4. But the weekend comes around and you don't even second guess dropping $50 on alcohol because you're ready to have some fun.

5. Still have to contemplate if water and food is truly a necessity to spend money on though...

6. So you savor every last bit that you have of it.

7. And rely on sneaking out as much as you can from the dining hall when you run out and hope you don't get caught.

8. Never missing a floor meeting because you know there will be free food and plenty of it to go around.

9. But you finally start to realize how cheap you are because you get upset over the twenty cents per page you have to pay to print at the library. Let's face it, it's just not in the budget.

10. Even everyday necessities like makeup and toothpaste barely make the budget

11. That shirt though, now that can be squeezed into the budget...

12. Ultimately get way too excited for parents to come visit because you know the "what do you need?" question is bound to pop up

13. And crossing your fingers that grandma feels extra nice and sends a little cash your way.

14. And in the end, somehow you just make it through until the end of the semester.

15. Don't get too happy though, this is just college. Remember you have the real world to look forward to. Have fun crying into your bills!