Moving to college can be quite a change. It is the first taste of freedom and exploring your own interests. Here is a little list of the 21 things my friends and I have learned during our first semester freshman year.

1. College is a completely different environment than High School.

I mean that would seem pretty obvious since High School ended months ago; however, you can get caught up with thinking that the people are going to be the same, when in reality people in college are not the same as high schoolers. You are in college now, everyone is doing their own thing, and if you mess up it's ok. We are all here to learn

2. Procrastination sucks

It really does. Due dates seem to be months away, but let me tell you that in college time flies. It really does. It feels as if just yesterday I was ready to move into my new dorm. Ok. That might be a little too dramatic but time does fly and you will regret watching Gilmore Girls instead of starting that paper that is due next week.

3. The steps you don't take are the ones you will regret

I had to ask for clarification on this lesson that my friend learned his first semester. Basically take that step towards an internship, extra page on your assignment, building that resume with an extracurricular, going to the gym, exploring outside the classroom. These steps are what make college worthwhile. Take advantage of everything your campus has to offer, in the end you are paying for them, might as well use them before your 4 years end. It is never too late to start thinking about grad school or that future job at an awesome company! Basically take everything opportunity available.

4. People in college are incredibly beautiful souls and are really nice

This is completely true! People are really nice and are willing to help you any time. Do not be afraid to ask for help whether it be finding a classroom or learning about a program offered at your school.

5. You shouldn't be scared to try new things

This one is very important. College is the perfect place to get out of your comfort zone. Getting out of your comfort zone is going to make you grow as an individual and build your character to have a successful career. Who knows, maybe because you took that art class that you never thought you would take ended up making you decide to be an art minor?

6. Doing laundry is not as bad as it sounds

I was definitively not looking forward to living on campus because of the laundry situation, but let me tell you it is not as bad as it seems. Laundry is a necessary evil, specially if you have already used your favorite t-shirt three days in a row. Yes, some dryers will not work, but you will get over it. Establish a "laundry day" once a week and you will be fine. I learned this the hard way when I found myself having no clothes left for an important presentation. Do it with friends, it makes the experience much better, trust me.

7. Having a roommate is definitively life changing but you always end up being awesome friends

My roommate and I have become really close friends over this first semester and being good friends with your roommate will come in handy when you are feeling homesick. I have to say that my college experience would not have been the same if I had been paired with a different roommate.

8. Do not limit the friends you can make

This one is very very very important. I cannot emphasize this enough. Make new friends every day! Do not limit yourself to hanging out with the same three people your entire 4 years, that is boring. The more friends you make, the more parties you get invited to ( that is a huge bonus to being friendly).

9. Being on your own is scarier than you imagined

I know that when you moved away for college you thought that being independent is what you had always dreamed of ;however, it is tricky. You no longer have your mom to take care of you when you are sick, you have to make your own doctor's appointments, you have to keep track of your finances if you want to go out every weekend, and most importantly you no longer have someone to tell you to take care of yourself.

10. Do what makes you happy and not others

College is an amazing opportunity to find your true passions in life, so do not do what makes other people happy but do what makes you happy. That sounds pretty redundant but it is completely true. 'You do You'

11. Do not do anything really stupid (you can do normal stupid, not extra stupid)

It is ok to have fun, specially if you are out with your friends and want to do something neither of you have done before. Make sure you are comfortable with what you about to do and do not record it! I cannot emphasize this enough, if you do stupid things do not post it on Facebook where your future employer might find it. Do stupid things while in college, in the end we are all here trying to find ourselves.

12. It's ok to live off of ramen noodles once in a while.

Ok. I was not sure if I should include this, because they are super unhealthy, but let me tell you that ramen noodles have saved me from starvation a couple of times. The mom of a friend of mine shipped her a box full of ramen and a ramen cooker, and this has been the best care package we have ever received (even though it was not intended for me, we have all eaten from that ramen noodle box).

13. Starbucks will eventually be your best friend ( Starbucks is life).

I am not a huge coffee fan but if you are blessed to have a Starbucks on campus just like I am, it will eventually become your best friend. Just to have a wide variety of drinks to choose from with or without caffeine is amazing.

14. Get out of your comfort zone

I have already talked about this but it is important to keep mentioning it.

15. Join the clubs that [truly] interest you, not the ones that seem "cool".

I remember my first week of college very vividly. There was a club fair and as a lame freshman that I was back then, I joined every club I possibly could; however, when I attended the first meeting for most of them, I immediately regretted my decision to join. Later on I decided to stay only in the clubs that I was truly interested in and that would eventually be helpful in building my resume. In the end, while in college you have to always think long term.

16. Choose your friends carefully.

People that party on school-nights are definitively not people you want to keep around. Choose your close friends carefully. Surround yourself with people that know what they want and have a goal in mind.

17. Embrace diversity

While in college you will meet people from completely different backgrounds and it will be amazing! Embrace all the diversity that your campus offers and learn as much as you can from people that have a different background. You will grow tremendously if you keep your mind open.