What they don't tell you about your freshman year in college...

The girl in that picture was 50% scared to death and 50% ready to leave tomorrow when she got her acceptance to Texas A&M. I look back on who I was in the months following my acceptance and laugh at how much research I did. I was determined to read every Odyssey article and fill 15 Pinterest boards in order to plan and expect everything. When I walked on to campus to move in I had a lot of preconceived notions that had been developed by all of this research. Of course I knew it was going to be hard, that it would be some of the best years of my life, and I would have a lot of adjusting to do in my future. However, nothing I ever read prepared me for waking up the morning after my parents left and realizing every decision was mine. So here is a list of the good/bad/ugly/fun lessons I learned my freshman year and some advice I wish I had before that morning.

1. You're going to struggle-I think this was the hardest thing for me to cope with because I love having control over everything and creating perfection. I'm not just talking about tests or quizzes but you're also going to struggle with life in general. Sometimes it will be stupid things like sorting laundry or choosing dinner. Others, like getting a math problem wrong 18 times at 1 am or loosing your key that costs $100 to replace, will result in complete breakdowns. The most important thing to remember is that everything is temporary. Take a walk around campus and grab a snack. Chances are when you come back your struggle will seem a little more manageable.

2. Sometimes you're going to feel really lonely- I know this is a depressing thing to hear, but I feel like you need to. I went in to college thinking that I would automatically have a bunch of friends and meeting new people would be as easy at it was in High School. Oh boy was I wrong. The first couple of weeks I was really isolated. However, I joined an amazing organization and have some great friends from that now. As well, my roommate and I have become really close and she has been gracious enough to introduce me to some of her friends and we have created a little group. However, it took a while to develop these relationships. So my advice is to firstly, get involved. This will make it easier to automatically have companions and chances are you'll find some close friends. But secondly, don't be afraid to be alone. This is a great time to learn about yourself and your personal abilities. Just because you eat lunch alone does not mean you are a looser.

3. You control every single decision you make- I am a very independent person and in high school I didn't really rely on my parents to run my schedule, but for some reason it never occurred to me that this would be further exaggerated in college. Every morning you will wake up and have to decide where you go, what you eat, what you do, who you see, what classes you actually go to (P.S. the answer should be all of them). The best advice I can give is to create a schedule that you follow (for the most part) everyday. This will give you a sense of control and you'll probably get more work done.

4. Want good grades & to still have fun? Treat school like your 9-5: Someone told me very early in my freshman year to treat school like a 9-5 job. My biggest mistake was brushing it off and not really listening to this advice. I was staying up until 2 am doing homework, yet I had taken a nap and watched Netflix at 2pm that day. During my second semester I switched these two and did work during the day while saving Netflix for after around 3 pm. My productivity shot up and my grades are so much better. A good way to ensure this is to study at a library/ student center in between your classes so you aren't tempted by relaxation (aka bed) in your dorm.

5. Your family is going to create a life without you: Ok so let me clarify, your family will always welcome you and there are few things greater than a mom bear hug after being gone for over a month. They will continue to love you and talk to you but they will also move on at home. They will create a new schedule and sit down at the dinner table with an empty spot without batting an eye. They will still go to neighborhood parties and watch your favorite family shows. The day I realized this I cried for a good 20 minutes. It was so depressing for me to think that these people who I had spent my whole life with could just move on and not sit in my room all day ( I know, it sounds silly). However, I quickly realized that I had done the same thing. Of course I miss my family, but I have formed a life without them. Both of these things are perfectly ok because its the way independence goes. I still love my family more than anything and cherish the times I see them but I also have accepted their absence. However, call your mother and father (chances are they write your tuition check so you owe them big time)

6. Don't Blink: Ok obviously I mean metaphorically, please blink because otherwise your eyes will never make it through the rest of my post. My point here is that freshman year is going to fly by. I feel like I just moved in yesterday and here I am 38 days away from summer break. You're going to change a lot during your first year and that's ok. Going to college is one huge transition and sometimes we get so caught up in making it successful that we forget to enjoy each day. These are the last years where you aren't 100% "adulting" so take advantage. Do your work, but make memories that you'll remember forever (and maybe a few you'll forget). Let's just hope the next three years slow down a little because if not, I'm going to be 25 by the time I wake up tomorrow and I'm not ready to pay rent by myself.

- Megan