The weeks leading up to the start of your college experience are sort of like the beginning of the roller coaster ride. You know, when you're going up the really steep part hearing "clink, clink," and you know you'll be plunging down any second and the ride will be fun and terrifying, and you're sort of wondering if you should have backed out but try to convince yourself it will be worth it? Well, at least that's how it was for me. Exciting and petrifying.

The first week, much like a new roller coaster, is definitely full of some twists and turns that you didn't foresee but realize you should be prepared for next time.

This little metaphor is my way of saying my first week as a college freshman at The University of New Mexico has been an interesting one chock full of little happenings (good and bad) that I didn't know would matter so much once I got here. Apparently the educating starts early in college, if more about life than your subject matters, so here are some lessons I've learned so far.

Having graduated from a Santa Fe high school, I came to UNM with about 100 of my fellow Jaguars, only three of whom I've seen so far without having planned it. There will be so many more people to meet — get out and meet them! This is especially important if you are living on a campus. Get to know the people in your building, find study partners in your classes and join some sort of group. This will be home for a while, to say the least, and all freshmen are "the new kids." Embrace it.

This leads to the next learning experience; groups and clubs and your schools in general tend to have something going on all the time. Take advantage of the opportunities presented. In fact, take advantage of anything the college experience is willing to offer you: a new experience rock climbing, a scholarship, free food. Try to get the most of it.

All this being said, keep in mind what is most important. Be able to prioritize and most importantly manage your time (yet another facet of college life I'm trying to master). Trust me on this, it's not as easy as it sounds when you're moving independently. I am not the most scatter-brained person in the world, and still I've found myself in the past five days starting homework at 11 p.m., which was around the same time I realized I never ate dinner. Time management is something to start practicing early on because it doesn't get easier with more freedom.

Finally, the one lesson that I found to be most important is allow yourself to be challenged. That is why you came to college, whether you realized it or not. You will be challenged with new situations, new people and a new setting. What you know will be challenged in the classroom, as well as what you believe in. The experience isn't an easy one to swallow, but, much like the roller coaster, it's an exciting one that may just prove to be worth it. Thus far, I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to get on the ride.

Rebecca Gonzales is a freshman at The University of New Mexico. You can reach her at nellybly22@gmail.com.