I’ve learned many things throughout my college years. From how to make a pot of coffee to what it takes to write an essay worthy of an “A,” I wish I would have written them all down. I’m confident my list would have covered an entire wall.

Some of the lessons were about college life, some about my education and some about myself.

A good chunk of what I’ve learned is bound to stay with me a very long time while some will slip through the cracks.

During my freshman year, and into my sophomore, nearly any night of the week I could be found in the library. Surrounded by books and drowning in caffeine, I was awake until the wee hours of the morning – my prime time.

I did well under pressure but would get too distracted anywhere except those stiff, wooden chairs.

Three and a half years later, and a little wiser, I can barely focus enough after 10pm to look at my planner.

Living in a house with my own space, I don’t have much of a need to go to the library.

I can do my homework earlier than the day before.

I happily sleep 8+ hours for the majority of the week.

And contradictorily enough, my most productive time is in the morning.

It’s heavenly to me when I can calmly wake, start a pot of coffee/tea, read the news and work on homework.

I think I’m ready to graduate now that I’ve found my peak hours. Saturday mornings aren’t filled with cartoons anymore but rather peace and quiet.

This is one lesson that’s sure to stick.