By ANDREA LOPEZ
Multimedia Editor

So you’ve moved 2,000 miles away from home, live in rural Missouri, know not a single soul and you’re 17 years old. Good luck.

Warrensburg may not be filled with rows of trees or spectacular views of Mt. Hood, nor is it a 20-minute ride to Portland or an hour and a half drive to the Oregon coast, but hey, you’re here for college. Remember that.

People say college is the best four years of your life. That’s an understatement. By the time you reach graduation in May 2016, you will be proud of the woman you’ve molded into. But your college journey won’t necessarily be what you’re expecting.

Here are a few things you should know:

-You get a boyfriend the first week of school, not a very smart decision, but you learn from it. This relationship fail does something beautiful – it allows you to really develop your relationship with God.

-You realize how much you miss home and learn how much you truly love your family.

-You get involved with the Muleskinner and that just completely makes your college career. And can’t forget the birth of iCentral!

-You become a community adviser in the residence halls and do that for the next three years. While you might get burned out from it, you’ll know it was worth sticking with.

-You meet this fella named Frank who you absolutely adore! The years of wondering ‘When’s it going to be my turn’ finally happens your junior year! So make sure you pray and thank God for bringing this handsome gentleman into your life.

Make new goals for yourself every school year and focus on what’s important to you. You will become a much more open-minded person and that will benefit you greatly. Try to have fun and relax. I don’t mean go crazy because you actually go through college without going to a single party. See, it can happen. While you’re doing a lot to build up your resume, it’s important to make memories with the people who surround you now. Live for the now and worry about tomorrow when that time comes. Oh and one last thing, you probably shouldn’t make promises you’re not going to keep. So telling your parents you’re moving back to Oregon after graduation – not the brightest idea because it’s not true. You end up liking this place called Missouri and want to stay a couple more years. I know, who would have thought? UCM has been great to you and you’ll be very proud to call yourself a Central Missouri alum. Stay sassy!