At the time I am writing this article, there are exactly two weeks left until the semester ends (not counting the week of finals). Two weeks. In two weeks, the first year of college will be over.

It’s cliché, but it’s really hard to believe that I am already a quarter of the way through college. I mean, where did all that time go? I still clearly remember feeling so nervous as I moved into my dorm on that hot August day (just thinking about how I almost lost a box just to find it in the room across from mine still makes me anxious), admittedly more scared than excited for this new and uncharted part of my life. And now I can say that even though there are still lots of new things to get used to, I’ve adapted to such an extent that I wouldn’t have been able to tell you about eight months ago. Here are 6 changes, if small, that I’ve made since entering college.

1. Using my phone as my alarm

Call me old-fashioned, but before college, I always used a conventional clock on my bedside table as an alarm clock (or my mom would wake me up). I never even really kept my phone in my room overnight. But that all changed in college, primarily because there was no space to have a bedside table. At first, I was appalled, thinking about horror stories of phones overheating while people were sleeping. But now, I set my alarm on my phone and dump it in my bed caddy (they’re really useful) daily without a second thought.

2. Deciding what to wear the night before

It helps me save time in the morning when I’m tired and too slow at getting ready.

3. Sleeping later

Speaking of being tired, I’ve started sleeping later at college. I’ve never been a night owl – I need an optimal eight or nine hours of sleep. But not having my mom in the next room nagging me to go to bed undoubtedly makes me think I can just finish this thing that I’m doing and then get ready for bed, soon making an anticipated 10 more minutes 20, then 30…

4. Listening to music in the shower

It’s the best timer on days that I wash my hair because I just get too carried away.

5. Listening to music while walking

I don’t remember when I started doing this, but I haven’t gone back since. Sometimes you just need to block everything else out (careful when crossing the street, though!).

6. Using a debit/credit card

I’m sure most college students can relate to this, as well as to the fact of being more conscious of how you spend money and checking those statements a little obsessively just to make sure that no mistakes were made. Oh, and not to mention swiping the card the wrong way at first (sigh).