The fall semester is officially over, and all the college kids are back home bothering their parents. For me, it’s been a semester of study, sorority, eating, writing, laundry, and running, to name a few things. Adjusting to this next step has taught me a few things, and after my first semester at the College of Charleston, I look back at the experience with a few lessons learned. Here are 12 of them.

1. Dryers have a lint trap that you are supposed to empty when you dry your clothes. Otherwise, they are just floating amongst someone else’s sock lint. I learned this the first week. Side note: most people on my floor do not know this, and I am the only one cleaning up the dust bunnies.

2. Take advantage of meal plans. Cooking is the worst. I have a fully stocked kitchen down the hall and have never felt the need to use it. Meal plans rock, assuming that your college has good food.

3. It’s OK not to like everyone you meet. The pickings aren’t slim, there are thousands to choose from. So if that hipster from orientation still just rubs you the wrong way, walk away. It’s OK.

4. Surround yourself with diverse people. It will reflect on how you see the world and make you a more rounded person.

5. People will help you if you are nice to them. This comes in handy, especially when you are far from home. Genuine compliments go a long way. Asking that old man about his kids could pay off.

6. Confidence is absolutely key. It will make new situations with friends, events, and the adjustment process so much easier.

7. Ubers are the best thing in the world. They do not judge, they just drive. Plus, they are often cheaper than taxis, which is the ultimate perk because let’s face it, we are all ballin' on a budget.

8. Exercise is still important. Do it for the endorphins, do it for the results, do it for the hot guy that’s always lifting, but make sure to just do it. You will feel better, look better, and sleep better.

9. Don’t forget about grades. At the end of the day, you have to be prepared for whatever career you are striving for. Socializing is important, but not as important as the future.

10. Do not bother your parents with everything that’s bothering you. It will just worry them and make everything worse when, three days later when you are perfectly distracted, you get that “Whatever happened to..?” text that twists the dagger all over again. They spend enough time worrying about you already, especially if you are far from home.

11. Alone time is awesome. I used to hate being alone, picking nights on my parents’ floor over my own comfortable bed. Now, I relish the time spent by myself to just relax and organize my thoughts.

12. Time actually does fly. I already conquered my first semester of college, and I feel like I moved into my dorm last week. The time sprints by, so take advantage of it or one day you’ll be working a 9-to-5 sales job reminiscing on collegiate times and wondering why you skipped that one formal junior year.