It was a hot August day in Tempe, Arizona as I walked toward my first college class. The year was 1998, and I was hopeful about what these next 4 years would bring. I got good grades in high school and felt well prepared for what college would offer. I had already chosen to major in Communication, and as I sat down at my desk, I knew that it was only a matter of time until I would graduate and get my dream job.

It didn’t take long before I realized that there was more to college than classes. It was like a whole other world, and that first semester was a real eye-opener. Some students came to class every day, while others came whenever they felt like it. Textbooks were ridiculously expensive, and for some reason every credit card company seemed to want my business. It’s been 13 years since my first day in college, and looking back, there are a lot of things I wish someone had told me. Whether you are graduating or just starting to think about what school you want to attend, here are 5 thoughts that I hope will benefit you.