Although I knew I was going to change in college, I didn’t realize that I would learn so much and change so much by living away from home.

1. How to do laundry

I’ve turned many things blue in the process. Whites and vibrant colors should have their own washes. Also, dryer sheets can be reused or put into a clothes drawer to continue to make your clothes small good.

2. Time management

There are so many other things to do besides homework that balancing homework, activities, and leisure time can be a challenge. As long as you prioritize, and try not to procrastinate, you can get a lot done and still have time for yourself.

3. The value of good food

After about a week of food from the Commons, I really began to miss my mom’s cooking. Even choosing not to eat food provided by the school means you eat a bunch of junk food instead or spend all your money eating out.

4. How to pick a good roommate

You get to know a lot about yourself and what you’re willing to put up with when it comes to sharing a room with someone. I’m so glad I was able to find someone who was my ideal roommate.

5. How to deal with people I don’t like or disagree with

This goes along with the roommate idea; you learn about your own boundaries and different ideologies that you may not agree with. Equipped with patience, knowledge, and the ability to just keep your mouth shut sometimes

6. Everything I need to care for a sick person (Including myself)

My first aid kit consisted of band aids when I first got to college. I have since added Neosporin, bacitracin, needles and tweezers for slivers, ibuprofen and acetaminophen for fevers, cold medicine, a thermometer, tums and Airborne to keep my immune system up when others around me are sick.

7. The value of keeping in contact with friends and family

Although you get to make some great new friends, you become homesick. Social media helps to keep up on some events in other’s lives. But thank goodness for technology because texting, calling and video chatting lets you maintain long distance relationships with all your friends and family.

8. Money Management

Between working part-time and having to pay for housing, tuition, books, toiletries, food, and clothing, money can be pretty tight. Taking the time to create a budget, finding coupons, buying at discount stores, sharing the cost of expensive items with others, and buying only what you need can help make spread your money further. But, so can care packages from you parents.

9. The value of your friends and acquaintances

They are the reason I was able to get a job on campus, why I joined the clubs I did and in general greatly elevated my experience here at Eureka.

10. You will probably change your major at least once

You learn so much about yourself and the different opportunities that your mind is bound to change. Just make sure you can graduate on time!

11. How to make your own opinions

Without parents around telling you what they think (and therefore how you should think), you can really do your own research and become exposed to new opinions that you might not have at home, and figure out how you think about things.