My first two years of college... I learned a lot.
New experiences, new friends, and new surroundings really can help a person grow up in more ways than they would imagine. As I am about to begin my time as an upperclassman (gross, I know), I look back and recall 50 lessons I've learned my first two years of college, from myself or from others.
1. Your immune system is not as strong as you thought it was.
2. Making friends is easier than you thought.
3. Your friends may change after the first couple weeks of school.
4. You need your sleep, seriously.
5. You can't cram for a test the night before (and do well).
6. You probably won't make straight A's.
7. You've got to pick your battles. Don't pick fights over stupid things.
8. You'll love coffee more than you ever thought you could.
9. You will procrastinate, and you'll learn your lesson every time.
10. Don't buy textbooks you don't need.
11. If you're on meal plan, use it. Don't spend unnecessary money on dinners out.
12. But know that sometimes it's okay to splurge.
13. Your professor may hate the way you write, and you may have to change your approach towards writing papers.
14. You may change your major. It's normal.
15. You won't get to the gym as often as you thought you would.
16. You've got to start checking your e-mail.
17. Some days you'll watch more Netflix than you will study.
18. Studying in your dorm is near impossible.
19. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
20. No one cares how ugly you look for class.
21. You'll probably wait until you have no clothes left to do your laundry, it's fine. We all do it.
22. Office hours may change your overall grade in the class. Seriously.
23. Foreign language classes aren't as easy as they were in high school.
24. Sometimes you have to pick fun over school. You won't remember the nights you studied.
25. Sometimes the only cure is Mexican food.
26. Your college town will have the BEST restaurants.
27. College move-in never gets any less annoying.
28. Buy everything on sale that you can.
29. Rent your textbooks.
30. You're gonna lose things. Often.
31. Naps are so important.
32. So are calls home to mom and dad.
33. Good friends are good for your sanity.
34. Taking an occasional mental health day is okay, but don't skip your classes regularly. It's a waste of money.
35. Don't walk home alone at night. Seriously.
36. Park at your own risk.
37. Drink more water. It'll cure about half of your problems.
38. You can't go out every night.
39. Take lots of pictures.
40. Go all out for game day. Why not?
41. Have a winter coat. Even if you live somewhere warm.
42. Thank your parents often.
43. If you learn something the "hard way," learn your lesson.
44. A great playlist can make your day.
45. You'll make it through your hardest classes.
46. You'll make it through your hardest days.
47. You'll make the greatest friends, and you'll cherish them.
48. You'll have a thousand memories in a short time.
49. Being on your own can be scary.
50. It'll go by too fast.
Yeah, you'll learn a lot being out in the world at college. Some things you'll learn easily, some you'll learn the hard way. Although there are there ups and downs, these have definitely he best two years of my life to date, for sure. If you're headed off to college this fall, you're in for a treat for sure.