Ah, the excitement and nerves of the incoming freshman have begun! What a great time to be alive, and what a wonderful experience they're about to begin. Freshman year of college is like starting all over. It comes with a lot of ups and downs, and here are just a few:

1. You finally get to be independent

No parents, and you decide what you want to do. It's a lot of power to give to someone so young, but it teaches you who you are.

2. However, you're not really sure how to be independent

You're so used to getting up for school early in the morning (you still can, but I personally try to avoid morning classes) and having someone tell you where you need to be and when. When that all goes away, you feel a little lost. It gets better. Trust me.

3. You get to choose your classes

I mean, you can do that in high school, too. But you can choose the time, the professor, and you can take so many fun courses that you actually want to go to (I hope... You're paying for them).

4. But you're not guaranteed to get everything you want

At least for me, what classes I was going to take in high school were planned since 8th grade and there were no issues getting into them. Be ready for a 6:45 a.m. wake up call to register if you want to get into that chemistry lecture you want. Better hope the internet doesn't act up.

5. You have the excitement of rooming with someone you don't know and the anticipation of not knowing the dorm you're in, which you wanted to know all summer

Finding out where you're living and with whom you'll cry over exams with is basically the highlight of the summer prior to your first year. So many new things, so much excitement.

6. That being said, you don't know who you're rooming with (probably) or next to, and it could end up being a good or bad thing

At the very least, just be only friendly terms with them. If it works out, you have a forever roomie and group of friends. if not, you'll find someone who you want to room with and people you want to live near instead for next year. Bonus: you'll have the comfort of knowing where your room is... because you chose it.

7. So many places to study

So little time to do it. Like actually.

8. But some people haven't really found their study method yet

That's ok! Trust me, I didn't. It's all about trial and error. Also, it's ok to fail a quiz/test. You can come back from it.

9. You get to decorate your room

My personal favorite, honestly.

10. It goes by so quickly and things can change just as fast

My first year felt like five days and 5 years all at once. Then summer comes and a lot can happen, but those who are still there when you get back are the ones you know you'll have in your life forever.