If you’re a college student, you’ve already figured out that paying for higher education is one of the most expensive endeavors you’ll ever take on. With the cost of tuition, room and board, books and transportation itself, college can certainly cost more than a pretty penny. Despite the large sums of money we throw at colleges every year, I’ve found that our most important lessons come from outside our $100 textbooks.

1. Having a healthy diet is important.

As you get older, it is not as easy to eat right or stay in shape, especially during freshmen year. Dining halls and the luxury to eat ice cream for dinner every night do have an effect on your health, both physical and mental.

2. You'll figure out what your style is, rather than what you pretended it was in high school.

Suddenly, you'll look at that huge pile of clothes you brought with you and think to yourself: "Why did I ever wear this?"

3. You'll learn how to cook and clean by trial and error.

At first, you won't have a clue on what temperature water to wash your dirty underwear in or how to make breaded chicken as good as your mom's, but you'll figure it out. You might have some shrunken laundry and dried-out chicken, but eventually you'll get the hang of it.

4. You'll drift apart from most of your high school friends, but that's okay.

One day you'll look at all the pictures hanging on the wall of your dorm and realize you aren't really friends with half of the people in those photos anymore. Though it'll be painful, some people are only meant to stay in your life for a certain amount of time. Even though they're no longer around, the memories of all the fun times always will be.

5. It becomes easier to eliminate toxic people from your life.

With all the homework, tests, and general lack of time, you'll realize you will want to dedicate what time you do have to those people who will positively influence your life. You have no time for petty games or people who aren't true friends.

6. You no longer care what people think about you.

High school was a lengthy popularity contest that everyone secretly wanted to win. In college, you learn the only people that really matter are those you surround yourself with. You lose interest in who was the Homecoming Queen or the smartest kid in school. Because of that, you can slowly settle into your own skin and shed the one that cared about what others perceived you as.

7. Your relationships with your family are extremely important.

Despite all the fights, tears, laughs and smiles, your family will always be there for you. After a fight with your roommate, a C that should've been an A, or just a long day, you'll find it comforting to call your parents and vent. Being so far away from the comforts of home will give you a new appreciation for your family. The "I love you" at the end of each call will make everything okay for even just a moment.

8. Sometimes, alone-time is a luxury.

Living with a roommate, in a building with hundreds of people, at a school with thousands of people will teach you that any time you have to yourself is sacred. Just laying in bed and staring at the ceiling, with no one else there, can be one of the most relaxing times in college and adulthood.

9. Your second best relationship will be with your college friends.

Boyfriends and girlfriends will come and go, but your friendships made in college will endure the heat and stay true. You'll made it through midnight study sessions, insane weekends, busy schedules, broken hearts and outlandish fights. You'll see each other's best and worst and still never let your friendship go. The friends you make in college will share your most beloved memories and prized laughs.

10. Your most important relationship is the one you have with yourself.

While many people dream of finding love on their college campus, the first love you need to find is with yourself. In college, you start to figure out who you are as a person and become more comfortable with the things that once were insecurities. Though it may take some time, you'll realize how special you are and that you should never settle for less than you are worth. When you finally realize just how amazing you are, you'll fall in love with yourself — the most amazing love there is.