Yes, I did do it. I successfully completed my first actual week at college without any health scare! I can finally say that I’m truly a college kid and it honestly feels great.

It’s crazy how quickly this week went by and just in this short amount of time I’ve learned a couple things (not really too much in class since it was syllabus week).

So without further ado, here’s what I learned my first week in college!

1. 8:00 am Classes are a Struggle

It doesn’t matter if your high school classes started at 7:30 am or if you go to bed somewhat early, waking up and actually staying up for an 8 am is quite the task. Your whole body is screaming to stay on your lofted bed and your eyes are pleading to droop. The only consolation is you have a class done before lunch and in my case it’s helpful that my class is interesting enough to keep me up!

2. Studying Doesn’t Make you a Nerd

In most of my free time, I’ve been doing the work needed for class and sometimes going ahead. No one is phased or judges if you choose to keep studying over watching another Netflix episode or whatever. And it’s also the same vice versa. Everyone has an unspoken respect to let others do what they want/need in their own time.

3. Find a Place to Study

Depending on the time of day, my dorm room is a great place for me to get some of my work done. However, my dorm room is also a place for lots of people to meet up and it’s really tempting to join and just talk and abandon my work. So this week in between my classes I’ve scouted some other study spots and as of now second floor of the library has been doing wonders in assisting me on finishing my work.

4. Syllabus are Key

The importance of syllabus compared to high school increase tenfold once entering college. Everything you need to know about your course is on that document. Like all those frequently asked questions are on that sheet! Like: “what’s the grading scale?” “how many and when are exams?” It really helps people like me who like writing in a planner to organize how they’re gonna tackle this semester.

5. Introductions will ALWAYS be Awkward

The classic “getting to know you” scenario pans out even throughout this syllabus week and it’s still as annoying and awkward as ever. Personally, I’m already tired of saying my name, where I’m from and what I plan to major in. But I have to admit it’s interesting to hear where people are from. When they’re from warm places, it makes me question why’d they want to be in Omaha.

6. Music in the Showers is Not That Weird

Several times I’ve heard music coming from the showers. No one complained. This made me take a risk to sing in the shower. I didn’t want a scare like Anna Kendrick in ‘Pitch Perfect’. But no, I wasn’t belting loudly like Mariah Carey but I was like Emma Stone in "Easy A" and nothing was said. I just sang like I was at home and people just minded their own business.

7. It’s Okay to Ask Questions

Since I’m new, this lesson wasn’t so hard. I had lots of questions like where my classes were and even just asking to sit by others for lunch. Everyone was kind and helpful. It really eased my transition knowing others are willing to help.

8. Sleep is Important

My roommate can attest to this statement; napping is like another religion to her! But honestly sleep is important to properly function during the day. Maybe it’s just me but the days are really long here at college so any sleep you get is an A+!

9. Free Food (or anything) is a MUST

As college kids, it’s not like we have the largest savings. However, the dining hall food can get old fast (breakfast is basically the same everyday). So any opportunity for free whatever is a must! The night before classes, the local Chik-Fil-A had a promo of a free chicken sandwich if you brought your college ID. My gal pals and I definitely took advantage of that!

10. It’s Alright to Miss Home

I’m definitely having a blast here and extremely happy I attended all my classes this week and didn’t visit the hospital. Yet I still miss my family back home but it’s nice knowing that they’re just a text, call or video chat away. Shoutout to technology for making missing family a little easier.