10 Little Known Advice Tidbits You Need to Know Before Going to College

It's High School Graduation Day.

It's one of the best days of your life. You are finally free from the constructs of the public education system. You have your whole life ahead of you full of possibilities.

But you have no idea what you are doing.

You've probably found a college your parents are going to help ship you off to. But, no one has really taught you how to "adult." Maybe you've ready every single article about college prep and pinned every pin about college on Pinterest.

From someone in college, here are 10 things no one tells you about college that you really need to know.

1. Nobody else knows what they are doing.

You may feel like you are the only one who doesn't know what they crap they are doing. Well, nobody else does either. They are just faking it if they seem like they do. No one in college, or even right after that, knows what career path they want, how they keep getting up for that 8 am class, how to do the homework, how to grocery shop, what to wear, where every building is, what is going on with their love life, anything. Everyone is a confused about life and just running around like crazies together who occasionally have crazy fun. It's not just you, hon. And that's okay.

2. Use a planner whether you like it or not

Trust me on this one. Have a place to write down all of your assignments and put your schedule and events on your phone. Your life will be somewhat organized and you will thank me later.

3. If you aren't comfortable with something, you don't have to do it.

This goes for partying, drinking, going out, talking to people, sex, spending money, drugs, who you hang out with, dating, the works.

Your life is completely in your hands as an adult. Only you are responsible for your actions. That said, don't let anyone pressure you to do something you aren't comfortable with or ready to do. Have fun and have weird college adventures, but be smart about it.

4. Use chegg.com and Amazon for buying textbooks.

NEVER buy textbooks from the book store EVER unless you have scoured the internet high and low for your textbook. The school bookstore rips you off hardcore. Chegg and Amazon WILL save your bank account. You could also see if there are upperclassmen who still have the textbook and can rent it to you for cheaper.

Chegg also sometimes gives you little tiny treats in your package, so that's a bonus.

You will meet plenty of them. The ones who never have fun because they always have to study.

That's not true. Everyone has time for a small couple hour break and everyone NEEDS a break.

It's always good to study, but your mental health needs a break and needs social time. At least try to do something fun once or twice a week. Even if it's a small thing like getting coffee with a friend.

I'm not going to sugarcoat it, darlings. It's all the described hell that people say it is. Everyone is dying. If they say they aren't, they are lying.

During finals week, caffeine and sweatpants are your gods. Also, the only time it is acceptable to be a study hermit is finals week. It is actually encouraged.

7. All nighters are stupid and a myth

They generally are never necessary. If you pull an all nighter to study, you won't have enough energy to even take that test. Just learn to manage your time so you don't have to pull an all nighter.

Just don't do it.

Really, no one actually pulls all nighters. If they are, it's just kind of dumb.

8. Pepper Spray: You need it.

This isn't just for the ladies. I don't care who you are, what gender you are, how strong or weak you are, yaddah yaddah. Get pepper spray and put it on your key chain. You'd rather have something than nothing in a self defense situation.

9. Freshman 15: It's real.

Just try your best to do even a little physical activity and don't eat too much ramen. Try to be somewhat healthy and you'll be okay.

Even if you do gain weight, just know that everyone does. You aren't alone. Just do your best to be healthy.

10. Create yourself.

Not really anyone cares what anyone else is doing. It's not like high school. You have the room to find YOU and do fun things and figure out what you really believe and do what makes just you feel good. You have a new opportunity to create you every day. Take the chance to not just be yourself, but really make YOU. It's cheesy, I know, but its true. College and adulthood is a fresh chance, a new start, a new you.

Have fun my little freshies! You can do it!