Senior year of high school is probably one of the most exciting years. Receiving college acceptance letters, dreaming about moving away from home, having a new found freedom, and, most importantly, getting away from high school. However, there are so many things I wish I knew before I went to college. There were so many things that I learned the hard way and really wish I wouldn’t have.

1. You may not stay friends with your high school friends, and that is O.K.

College is a transitional time where you are most likely moving away from home and finding new and exciting things to be involved in. However, some of the friends that you make in high school may not always stick around for the long run. Many struggle with the idea that you are moving away from what you have grown up around. But the fact of the matter is that it is really hard to keep up a long distance friendship while you are experiencing the nuances of college. There will be some friendships that will last, and those are the ones that are here to stay.

2. Never take an 8 a.m. class.

I know that it may seem completely normal to take an 8 a.m. because, hey, you managed to make it to high school by 7:45 a.m. Why wouldn’t you be able to take an 8 a.m. class three days a week? Well, let me tell you, an 8 a.m. class three days a week when you have probably stayed up until 2 a.m. studying for that test you have later in the week that is worth 25 percent of your grade is going to make waking up at 7 a.m. really tough. Only take an 8 a.m. if you have to, and, if you have to, I am personally extremely sorry.

3. The “freshman 15” is a myth

You know how everyone always talks about how you are going to gain the “freshman 15” when you enter college. That is a myth! You will most likely lose weight from walking across campus with a 20-pound backpack in 10 minutes. Also, the food from your local dining options is probably going to become your main diet, so eventually you are going to learn what to eat and what not to eat. You will also lose weight from the large amounts of dancing you will do when you need a 10-minute study break.

4. This will become your home away from home.

Your college will easily become your second home. There will be things that you can only experience when you are here. Of course, you will get home sick eventually, but nothing will ever compare to the times that you have in college. You will go home for winter break and find yourself Facetiming your college friends because they got the best gift ever or filled with group texts about how much you miss each other. Your college will easily become the place you call home.

5. Professors will actually care about you.

In high school, teachers make it seem like you have to do college without any guidance. However, your professors will actually become your mentors. No only will they help you understand the material in class, but also I have yet to meet a professor that doesn’t ask how your day is going or how life is when you walk into their office. Professors will remind you of due dates and important events that are occurring. They have all gone through this before, and they are more than understanding when you seem to ask too many questions.

6. You may have to go through a few roommates before you find the right one.

If you are lucky enough, your freshman roommate might be “the one,” but it is completely normal if you don’t like your original roommate. Sometimes, you get put with your first roommate and everything seems like it is going to work out, but it just turns out that you can be great friends and horrible roommates. It is OK to ask for a new roommate or to switch rooms. It is actually completely normal for people to move on and find new friends that you want to live with more.

7. Don’t think that because you were good at a certain topic that you should major in it.

Finding your major is one of the most complicated decisions that you will have to make in college. This will determine your study groups, what you want to do in life and who you will most likely cry with as you finish those papers at 2 a.m. Yes, you may have gotten an A in your government class in high school, but that doesn’t mean that you will do that well as a political science major. Think carefully about what you want to major in and don’t be afraid to explore multiple majors.

8. Stress crying/eating is inevitable.

There is no secret that college is the most stressful time of your life. Therefore, stress crying and eating are probably going to happen whether you like it or not. It may seem like you don’t have time to cry or eat, but, trust me, you will feel a lot better after you eat a whole tub of mint chocolate chip ice cream while bawling your eyes out to “The Notebook.”

9. Give Greek life a chance.

Even if it doesn’t seem like your cup of tea, you never know what will happen. Sometimes, there is such a negative look on Greek life that you are scared to try it out. Who knows? You may end up finding your second family or, at least, getting a great experience and some really good food.

10. Breathe!

Just breathe. Everything will be OK.