What It's Like When Your New College Life Officially Feels Like Home

I cannot stress enough how important coffee is for college students (if they're into it, of course). You might want that caffeine to get through the early morning lectures and late-night studying in the library. You've tried out every café on campus, and found your fave spot that has the most delicious lattes and friendly baristas who know your name.

At first, your dorm was just a bed, desk, and dresser. It really needed you to come in and give it a personal makeover. With a few last-minute decor touches, you've finally gotten settled in. Now, your room feels cozy AF, and you look forward to snuggling up after a long day of classes.

By now, not only are you and your roomie close, but you've made a few new friends on the floor. You've got your college squad. Together, you guys go to the dining hall and might have movie nights in the common areas on Fridays.

The club fair may have been super awkward during welcome week, but you found a few groups to join with similar interests. You love that you get to meet new people outside your classes and dorm, and they're into the same things as you. It also gives you fun activities to do during the week, so you're not just going to class and then your dorm every day.

College schedules can be all over the place. One day you may have, like, three classes in a row, but then nothing again for a few days. It takes time to adjust, but when you do, it feels great. You finally are on a good sleep schedule, and know exactly where you'll be all week.

You may miss the home cooking you got in high school, but the dining hall is definitely growing on you. You've found your go-to dishes. I still remember the waffle maker was my favorite, and I used it almost every single meal.

Your college friends are starting to feel like family, because you have a few traditions brewing. Maybe it's just movie night once a week. It seems simple, but at the core, it's giving you that familiarity that makes you only feel more comfortable.

Sure, you had school spirit when you applied for college, but now, you're basically rocking your school's colors on the daily. You love going to sporting events, and cheering on your teams. You wear your college sweaters with an extra dose of pride.

You may be friends with someone, but it's not until you have your first inside joke that you know you're on the path to best friendship. You and your crew have spent some late nights together just laughing. Those funny stories have now become inside jokes that you'll treasure forever.

Since you're finally on your own, you're in charge of your schedule. That means you might stay up until 4 a.m. many nights just talking. When you and your friends find a 24-hour diner to hang out in, that'll become your go-to spot. Just like your hometown crew had a place to hang after hours, you and your college crew will, too.