It's been exactly a month since I've started my second year at college, and if I could sum up these past weeks in one word, I'd use the word different. From my classes, to the people that I see and hang out with on a daily basis, to the kind of person I am and want to be, the kind of student I've been, to my dorm hall to what I've been eating, everything is very different than it was freshman year. So here are 11 things that I've learned since starting my sophomore year of college.

1. People expect more out of you now that you're a year older.

There was no such thing as syllabus day, and no excuses for being late to class. You had a year to adjust to college learning, and my professors expected my very best on the first day of class.

2. I don't need to dress up to go to class anymore, and I don't need to show up to class 10 minutes early every time. Walking into my 8:30 at 8:29 in pajamas will do just fine.

3. It's important to make new friends, but even more important to keep the old.

4. It's never too late to try out for clubs and sign up to be a part of things; the more involved you are the better

5. Be as organized as possible; write everything down and keep track of everything that is ever due.

Teachers don't give out reminders as often, and applications for internships don't give reminders either.

6. People can change in a summer, and that's okay. If you're not friends with your freshman year friends, it'll be okay.

7. Sleep. Whenever you can.

8. Go out. Whenever you can. Make the memories that'll last forever; you only have three years left to do so.

9. But also do your homework-somehow balance all three. (If you figure out please help a girl out.)

10. Start seriously thinking about your future, opportunities come up and if you don't know what you'd like to do;you might miss out on a great chance.

11. Most importantly, take some time each day to be grateful for the fact that you get to experience another year, at another place, with amazing people.