What if I were to tell you that there is life outside of your bubble (comfort zone). That you will conquer bigger and better obstacles and meet people that will change your life for the better. I used to be so afraid of the world outside of my little bubble in high school. I did everything I could to protect that bubble from popping. Eventually, I realized that my life didn’t end once that bubble popped it was just beginning. There are so many of you who decide college isn’t for you and that’s absolutely fine, but there are some who do want to take that step. So, some take that leap of faith and apply to college, then once they’ve figured out where to go, what’s left is the feeling of uncertainty and anxiety (at least it was for me). You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into, but you’re giving it a shot because “why not?” There are so many articles, blogs, books, movies, and TV shows of what not to do, what to do and how to prepare for College, trust me I've seen and read most of them, but I would like to share another perspective. Now, I'm not promising an article that gives profound insight that you don’t already posses, or that will change the way you perceive the world, but here’s the way I see college, and what I would do if I were you.

Let’s start with the basics, Google defines college as “an educational institute or establishment”, but this varies per person. Some people view it as a place of freedom from responsibility, and parents: a haven where anything goes, without punishment (but let me assure you now, this is not the case). Others view it as the next step in their future that leads to their "dream" job (which could be the case, but not always). Then, there is the leftover population who attend college because "what else is there to do?” and “everyone else is doing it, right?” Let me remind you, this article may hold biases, which bloom from what I've seen and experienced in college.

So, let's begin:

1. The day you move into your dorm surprisingly isn't the day you realize you're in college. It took me about a month to realize I'm not just away on vacation or camp; I'm actually living in a place for a year with tiny-shared rooms, community bathrooms, and no home-cooked meals. I couldn't help laughing and crying the moment my brain realized reality. Laughing because, I actually made it. Crying because, I would have to keep “making it” if I wanted to graduate.

2. The illusion: You think you are free from responsibility. The reality: Responsibility only multiplies. Parents no longer tell you what to do and professors don’t bark at you constantly when something is due. There are opportunity costs: doing the month old laundry or going out Saturday night, which results in wearing the same dirty clothes the next day, because what’s left to wear? Then, you have to wait for an open washer, because (trust me) you are not the only one who procrastinated their laundry. Professors will not baby you and remind you when assignments and tests are due. The syllabus becomes a necessity and appointments with your professor a must. Hopefully, “Dr. Something” actually want’s you to do well in the class. Some professors could care less about you and live for research, not for students. Everything rests on your shoulders. This is your time to figure out your time management skills, organizational skills, and once and for all cutout procrastination. The earlier you turn in assignments the better you will do. I turned in one of my assignments early, my professor kindly graded it, gave it back to me to correct, and granted me a chance at a perfect score. This may not happen every time, but there are some pros to doing this. If you are one to believe that once you get to college you can let loose, then you are right, you can, but of course there is the question of how much you can “let loose”. I'm not saying you shouldn't have fun because you definitely should, but just remember there may be a test that Monday and we all know you won't study that Sunday.

3. You know that phrase every adult tells a student before they get to college: "Don't worry you will find your true self in college" or something like that? Well, that is utter bull crap, at least for me it is. How can you find something when it is already there in front of you, waiting for you to embrace it? We are not lost to ourselves, WE ARE ourselves; we just need to realize that. It may take some digging and unlocking doors and boxes, but we are here, we are somewhere inside, and we don't need society, or social media telling us who we are. I have fallen prey to believing the hype of "finding yourself", but I’ve realized it's not true. I'm here, I always was, and always will be; I just have to bring ME out, and not be afraid to do it. In college, you will meet so many unique people, who society will categorize as the "jocks, hipsters, sorority girls, frat boys, the "smart" (engineer/pre-law/nursing students), then the normal ones (which I guess is me?). Yes, they may participate in these organizations and enjoy certain things that go with that, but they/we shouldn't be put into a category, or labeled. We are all different, no matter how many times the world says differently. I don't know if you have heard of the "Looking Glass theory", but this is exactly the way everyone sees who they are. People just aren't capable of "self-reflection", without taking into consideration someone's interpretation of themselves. In other words, "people define and resolve their internal musings through other's viewpoint". Sadly, this is the truth; I am who I think you think I am. Confusing isn't it? But this theory plays a huge role in our lives and it is way more prevalent as we get older. Yet, all I can say is, open your eyes. Your OWN eyes, because once you do, you will see how unbelievably unique, and amazing you really are, NOT by any standards.

4. I'm sure you’ve also heard, "college is where you will find your bridesmaids", and so on. While that may be true, expectations disappoint, because this doesn’t happen for everyone. You may start the year with a multitude of friends that you met at orientation, but by the end of freshman year you end up with less than a handful of people that are honestly called “friends”. Believe me. You find out who you understand and who understands you, without judgment and deceit. Also, don't ever limit who you should talk to by society's standards. You never know if the girl/guy standing behind you in the line for mediocre lasagna could possibly be your soul mate/best friend/long-lost sibling, etc. Give people a chance, start a conversation (even if it goes terribly), compliment someone (sincerely). There are so many interesting people in this world, and once you meet one you will never meet enough.

5. Lastly, enjoy it while you have it. People are not lying when they say time goes by way too fast. It does, and the way you use that time is truly important. Yes, grades are extremely important (maybe too important for my liking), but that does not mean you should spend most of your time in the library or in the dorm studying till the break of dawn. Take a break, have a drink (non-alcoholic drink, if you are under-aged), see a play, go to a concert, explore your campus or the places around it: do anything and everything that you enjoy. I cannot stress the importance of being absolutely present in all that you do. Every moment that you miss because you were too busy daydreaming about the future or fretting about the past, will be a moment that will haunt you in that future. Not haunt you in an "eerie ghost way", but in a way that will make you think "what if?" and "I should've, could've, would've". We all know how that goes. Don't be scared to be fully present and alive with excitement. get loud, Get Loud, GET LOUD. It feels so good… believe me: it does.

Before this turns into a ramble, I would like to end with just this:

Embrace YOU, Embrace LIFE, and Embrace NOW.