As I wrapped up my finals this past week, the fact that I am no longer a college freshman hit me like a brick. When I think about where I was a year ago today, I am absolutely amazed at how much things can change over the course of just a few months. As a senior in high school at this time last year, I was somewhat skeptical about what college had in store. I would have to leave the town that I had lived in my whole life and say goodbye to the friends I had had since elementary school. Did I even know how to build connections with new people? Did I even want to? Not to mention I didn’t know how to do my own laundry, which was terrifying all on its own.

A year later, I can now say that I am pretty self-sufficient when it comes to doing my laundry. In fact, I might go as far as to say that I enjoy doing laundry. Who would’ve ever thought? More importantly, I have met so many people from all over the place, each with interesting stories to tell. My social life was slow at first—I remember calling my mom panicked on the first day, and her having to convince me to go to the dining hall because I hadn’t eaten an actual meal in 48 hours out of anxiety that I would have to sit by myself. Although I have made very good friends that are always willing to dine with me, I have grown to the point where eating alone in the dining hall, and being independent as a whole, is no longer something that bothers me. In fact, independence is something that I embrace.

What I appreciate the most about college is establishing a second home. Living in a city is something I’ve known I wanted to do my whole life, but I didn’t know it’d be this city. I only applied to colleges in New York City and Boston, but I was set on being in New York. I was reluctant to commit to Emerson just because of its location. What could Boston possibly have that the Big Apple didn’t? I had never pictured myself here until I went to one of the accepted students days and everything just kind of clicked. New York is still where I ultimately would like to end up, and let’s be real, no city compares to New York City. However, I have found a plethora of things to love about Boston and it is truly the ultimate college city. I wouldn’t want to spend my undergraduate years anywhere else.

I mean, how could I not fall in love when my dorm room overlooks the Boston Commons?

Overall, college so far has consisted of many experiences, both good and bad. As a senior in high school, I would have never thought I’d do half of the things I have done since arriving here in late August. Looking back now, there are so many things I wish I could tell the girl who arrived at college and didn’t eat for 48 hours out of dining hall anxiety. Here are just a few:

1. No one really cares if you eat alone, or do any other activity alone. Chances are, there are other people doing the same exact thing. For the love of carbs, eat.

2. Try to diversify your friend group. It’s always good to have a solid group of friends, but college is the time to really explore your options and meet interesting new people.

3. Alcohol is a thing. Moderation is key.

4. You will spend all of your money on coffee. Start saving now.

5. Don’t hook up with people that go to your school (especially if your school is freakishly small). You will see them. It will be weird.

6. Two hours before the assignment is due is not enough time to write a five-page essay.

7. Get involved, or else you will watch too much TV and turn into a potato.

8. Ben & Jerry’s from the C Store is wonderful and all, but don’t cry when it goes directly to your hips.

9. Stop using plastic cutlery and just steal some from the dining hall already.

10. Be friendly! You never know who you will become friends with.

11. You should actually do the reading that your professors assign.

12. The library exists and it is a place you should visit.

13. Live a little! Have fun, but only after you’ve done everything that needs to get done.

14. Explore. Being in a new place is exciting and you don’t want to waste your time missing out on all that’s available to you.

15. Call your mom. She worries about you.

If I had known all this, my first few months in college would've been much easier. Nevertheless, I'm glad I got to learn it myself. I grew so much over the course of just two semesters, and don't regret my decision to come to Emerson for anything in the world. I guess my next year as an undergrad will carry its own fair share of memories, mistakes and lessons learned. Unlike the girl I was when I first got to college, I am now confident in taking these things on.