Well, you’ve made it.

The summer is almost over and the anticipation of starting college is driving you crazy. You’re ready to get out of the house, but you are also terrified, because who knows if your roommate is going to be crazy or not. College is a wonderful experience that you can’t wait to jump into. However, there are some things that you should know before moving in and leaving the nest.

Class is optional, but you really should go. It is so easy to play off the idea that you can sleep in all week and show up whenever you want, but you will miss valuable information when you skip. Your professors may not take attendance, but in classes in which they do, having a high attendance rate can really boost your grade near finals. Plus, college is the time when you are finally able to focus on what you want to do and what your career will be. If you pick classes that catch your interest, you are more apt to want to attend regularly.

You can eat all you want, but it may come back to haunt you. It is super easy to swipe that card and eat everything that the cafeteria has to offer that day. Your first week in college, you will be amazed at all your options for food. What’s better than being able to eat cereal three times a day and then going back to eat two sandwiches and a couple slices of pizza? You no longer have crappy high school lunch trays and your mom isn’t there to tell you to eat dinner before dessert and that you have to eat your broccoli. However, it can catch up to you. The “freshman 15” is a real thing, and if you play into it, the “freshman 50” can also happen. You have the option to go back for fifths on days when they have mac and cheese, but you also have the option to have a salad or limit your trips to the entree line. Keep this in mind when you are debating on whether or not to take 12 cookies back to your dorm.

Orientation seems ridiculous, but you will learn so much and it is a perfect opportunity to meet new people. Those who put on orientation know that new students are nervous, excited and probably out of their comfort zone. Hence, they make everyone do silly ice breakers and get in groups of other new students who have no idea who you are. Take this opportunity to make your mark and step out of your comfort zone.

You don’t have to be the same peson who were in high school. This is your chance to be who you are. If this means being more outgoing, open with your gender or sexual orientation or just being more focused on academics, then do it! College is the time for you to mature, to find your passions and the path to a future career, and to become a decent adult. No one cares who you were in high school, what you were president of, or what position you played on a sports team. Whether or not you were the “smart kid” in class, in college, you can be whoever you want to be now. Don’t overlook that and feel like you have to spend your days stuck in a high school state of mind.

You can do this. That moment when you have everything moved in and you hug your parents for the last time before they leave, it one of the hardest moments of this transition. You are officially on your own. Yes, you don’t have anyone to give you a curfew or tell you to do your homework. However, it is on you now on when to do your dishes or if you can last another week without doing laundry. The first time you get sick and your mom isn’t there to take care of you is hard. It is intimidating and kind of scary to be trying to take care of yourself and be independent. You can do it though.

This is the time to make a change in your life and enjoy every minute of it. Don’t hold back. Make friends and step out of your comfort zone. College is a blast and can be the time of your life that will bring the most adventures and memories your way. Don’t waste it. Good luck!