College, the great unknown. Full of happiness, tears, sleepless nights, and lifelong friends. It's more than what I could have ever imagined. There is nothing that can prepare you for college, you just have to jump right in. But in the wake of graduation, I wanted to share an insight into what college is really like in my opinion. What to skip out on and what to not skip. 

The first thing to skip out on is studying. Don't spend too much time studying. Enjoy college and everything that comes with it. Skip that class sometimes. Your professor isn't going to yell at you or call you out for missing class. Everybody misses class some days, that's normal! Now, I'm not telling you to miss every class. But if you feel under the weather or even if you just need a mental health day, then don't push yourself to go to class. Go on a run, go shopping, enjoy your day of rest. Sometimes you need a break, and that is ok! 

Next thing, enjoy the opportunities that come your way. Sometimes it's worth it to go to that party. Put yourself out there. You might make friends that you never would have expected. Friends that become lifelong friends. People that you would have least expected. I have made friends from all over the world just by putting myself out there and sometimes going to shindigs and potlucks. Grab those opportunities as they come to the surface, and if they don't then make one! You never know who you might have an impact on.

But the next thing I would tell you is that it's ok to be close with your professors! They love getting to know you and they want you to connect with them and the material in new ways. They also usually like it when you ask deep and engaging questions. Just don't ask a question if they've already given the answer and you just weren't paying attention. But these professors aren't like your high school teachers. They want you to know that they understand what you are going through because they have been there themselves. They are far more understanding than your average high school teacher. They want you to succeed while also having a life outside of college. So just talk to them, they're far more understanding than you think. 

In saying all of this, I hope you take my advice. I didn't have anyone that told me what college was really like, so I went into it blind. I don't want that for anyone else because high school doesn't prep you for this beast that is college. But have fun with it. Make the most out of every moment. Make those friends, don't study for too long, make memories, treat yourself, and take breaks. Enjoy what little time you have in college because it passes by in a flash.