I love getting on Facebook, Instagram, and even Twitter, and seeing how excited recent high school graduates are to begin their next chapter in life. Whether it’s staying home and getting a job or deciding to continue their education, the next step in life comes with new territory that will be challenging to navigate the first couple of months. So, as always, I have my own two cents to add. As a college freshman, I wish people would have told me how difficult it was to balance everything. From class, money, friends and all things stress, I came up with the 15 things that I wished someone had filled me in on.

1. Homesickness is a real thing. You may think that now that you are in college that your new sense of freedom is the greatest thing ever. But, you realize real quick how much you miss your mom waking you up for school or even your dad making those stupid “dad” type jokes that only he thinks are funny. You’ll miss your brother physically hurting you and you’ll definitely miss your brutally honest sister who always speaks her mind. So when move in day finally comes, let your mom unpack all of your things, you could always rearrange them later. Let your dad tinker with your electronics and getting your Wi-Fi and cable all set up and ready to go. Let your brother carry all of your heavy things, because let’s be honest, you didn’t want to do it yourself anyway. And let your sisters make fun of all your clothes and shoes because you will absolutely miss their crazy fashion tips.

2. The greatest thing about college is that you can skip classes. But the worst thing about college is that you can skip classes. One day you will just wake up and decide that today isn’t your day and that you’ll just skip. Then a week later you’ll wake up profusely throwing up wishing that you hadn’t skipped class last week so you wouldn’t have to go this time sick as a dog. What I learned about skipping classes is, you don’t. Unless you have no other choice and you are so sick that you cannot leave the bathroom, always go to your classes. You’ll regret a missed class the day you're taking a test when you realize that the lecture you missed was insanely important.

3. Buy a planner and use it. Trust me on this one. Writing down your assignments and other commitments will help you remember when things are due and when you have other places to be. It helps in the matter of over scheduling and getting things done on time. Having an agenda and sticking to it helps you stay organized and also limits the amount of procrastinating that you will do.

4. One major study tip that I learned to be insanely true is that you never study on your bed. If you are anything like me and can practically sleep on command, you will find this to be so true. When you are in your bed and you're trying to finish up some homework or even study for a big test, you will begin to feel weary and decide that it’s time for bed. One minute you will be in the zone and the next you’ll be dead asleep. Find a desk or go to the library to take care of your studying. Your bed should only be used for sleeping, or anything non-school related.

5. A huge tip that someone actually filled me in on, was to try your best to meet your professors. These adults will be the one person in control of your life. So don’t be afraid to email them or go to their office hours to sit down and chat. Most of the time your professors actually do care if you pass their class, so if you are having difficulties, absolutely make time to speak to them. They usually always understand and if you’re lucky, they will extend your assignments as needed.

For part 2 containing the last points, go here!