If I asked you the first thing that came to your mind when I say "How do you prepare for college?" most people would say "order books" or "pack my clothes." Although those are super important, those aren't the first things that come to my mind.

Apartment shopping

As the school year approaches, it isn't just new pens and notebooks that I'm school shopping for. Now it's group chats and check the lists with the roommates to make sure we have absolutely everything possible that we would ever need for our apartment. Sending pictures about what to buy and what color scheme you want are the things that concern us now. After about 10 trips to Target and some key online shopping at midnight, I think we have it all. You can't forget about decorations- who doesn't love decorating? My favorite part about decorating is going through all the pictures on my phone deciding which ones are "wall worthy" for next year. It takes about 30 minutes and $25 printing them at CVS but hey, they're all worth it.

Saying goodbye to my best friends

Some people are lucky enough to go to the same college as their friends from high school, but most of us aren't. One of my least favorite things to do, before I leave for school, is say goodbye to all my friends from home. Everyone moves in at different times so there are almost always multiple goodbyes. This part sucks big time. Who wants to say bye to their best friends? Not me, that's for sure! A few tears are shed during the last bear hug, but planning your mid-semester visit gets you through it as you watch their car drive away. After all, they are just a text or FaceTime away.

Lunch date with my mom

I don't know about you but my mom is my best friend, and as I say every year, I don't know what I'll do without her. Before I leave, going on a date with my mom is a huge must! We go out to lunch and do some shopping. It doesn't matter where we go or what we end up ordering; just anything to get a little extra girl time in. It's not like saying goodbye would ever be easy in the first place.

Pack

I, like most girls, don't know the meaning of the phrase "pack lightly." I live close enough to come home and get clothes when the weather starts to change, but why do that when I can bring everything I own on move-in day? I try to be smart about what I bring, but in reality, if it fits, I bring it. If I could pack my pets, oh, believe me, I would! Packing the car is even more stressful. Making sure everything fits perfectly is a work of art in itself. After three tries and everything is in, you wonder how after two years of doing this already how you're not a master.

When you think about getting ready to leave for college, whatever year you will be, think about the important things. Say goodbye to your best friends, let your parents take you out to dinner, and hug your pets super tight. You never realize it until you're all unpacked at school, but those little things you were so ready to leave behind are the ones you miss the most.