As this semester comes to a close, I have reflected about my time here at Millersville University. I think about the good times and also the bad. Having one semester in the books, I really do understand when people say college is the best time of their lives and I also understand when they say it is tiring and filled with work. Either way, my first semester at college taught me many life lessons and showed me even on the darkest day, there is sunshine behind the clouds.These experiences led me to realize a couple things that usually occur for everyone during their first semester at college:

1. You will miss your parents.

Growing up, my parents were everything to me, so when I had to leave for college, it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. At college, I don’t have anyone to play with my hair when I had bad day to help me relax, make me a delicious dinner or drive me anywhere I want to go. Once you begin classes, you see that your parents will have your back when you are stressed and need to vent, but you will just miss their presence and the little things you would do together like watch every Philadelphia sports games with your dad or go to cool cafes for coffee with your mom.

2. The first weeks are hard for everyone.

Transitioning into college is probably the hardest thing for any teen. Not knowing anyone at first is a struggle, but it does get better. During my first weeks at college, I was very homesick and I did not think it would get better. I saw that I could be happy here and making friends came with time. Soon I realized that college can be a great time for everyone and that it did get better with time.

3. Studying like you did in high school will not get you very far.

Being a straight A student in high school, I thought I would have an advantage in college. But the truth is that college classes are harder and it takes longer to grasp the material. The half hour I would study in high school would get me an A+ on a test, but now I need to study at least 2 hours just to get a passing grade.

4. Going to office hours can make a difference.

During the first weeks of class, you start to see that your professors really care about you and want to help you succeed in the class. Going to office hours gives you a chance to get to know your professor and gives them a chance to know you. This shows that you are very serious with your studies and it can help you in the future when finals come around.

5. The library is your home.

Once classes start, you soon see that most of your time is spent in the library. The library is the best place to go to get your work done and the place you are most productive. During my first semester, I was in the library five out of the seven days of the week. Plus, it is a perk that there is a Starbucks in the library to keep students caffeinated.

6.There are not enough hours in the day.

To get work done, you must prioritize the amount of work you need to do. If you do not stick to a certain schedule, the work may slip away from you and you can get caught up with friends, sporting events, laundry or even eating. The most effective way to get work done is to make a to do list every morning, but also treat yourself to some time to do something stress free and fun.

7. The friends you make in college are always there for you.

I soon realized that the friends you make in college are very trustworthy and you can always rely on them. If anything ever happens, they are there for you for whether you need to cry, vent, or even sleep. They are there even when you feel lonely and want someone to sit outside the door while you shower just to talk to them. College friends are friends you can count on for anything.

8. You fall more in love with the college every day.

My first couple of weeks at Millersville were rough and I missed home so much. So once I started to get involved with the school activities and made more friends, I felt such a sense of relief and comfort. Doing this showed me how much my school has to offer and that I would not want to spend my four years of college anywhere else.