By Hayley Eselevsky, Student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Looking back on my first semester at college last year, there are so many things that I wish I knew going into it. However, there is one thing that I wish I knew that sticks out in my mind the most: You are truly given a fresh beginning.

Fresh beginnings are rare to come by. Not only are you given a new beginning, but so is everyone else. I grew up with the same people my whole life. Although I went to a really large high school, for the most part everyone had their place and when you met someone they instantly judged you.

In college it's different. College is the first time that you get to meet people with a blank slate. You know nothing about them, and they know nothing about you. Many choose to waste this opportunity and stay friends with the same people they knew in high school. What I wish I knew is that it’s okay to branch out. Make friends from all over the country.

Nobody is here to judge you in college; everyone has better things to do. So make friends that you like and want to be friends with for the rest of your life. 

This week you'll be hearing from all of our University Chic bloggers, who go to schools from all around the country, on what they want you to know as you finish your collegiate journey. We hope you'll tune in and read what they have to say! If you'd like to submit your own piece of advice, tweet @UniversityChic and we'll RT your thoughts.

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