From experience, from observation: It's been a learning experience. Frankly, there are a handful of lectures that stand out, but hundreds of people, challenges, and breathtakingly beautiful moments that have made the last four years into quite the life-shaping experience. Check it out if you like, add your own if you feel so inclined :)
In regard to friends:
There are way more people in University than high school. Ergo, you have way more choices for people to hang out with, and for the people you don't want to spend time with...you don't have to!
Things that have benefited me: becoming friends with my first year poddies. (823 Glengarry!) Jessica, Paige, Jennifer (and yeah I know you weren't there first year, Jen, but you were basically adopted into the clan soooo I shall count you anyway)...we aren't necessarily the most similar of people, and I don't see them as often as I'd like...but in moments of crisis or happiness, they're the girls who I want to share it with. They've been there through the same four-year growth period and everyone's changed (or stayed the same) as a part of the same experience.
Make friends with people who have lived completely different lives than you. People from different cultures, different family backgrounds, different everything. Keep an open mind, and let yourself learn from them. I'm not saying 'go native' (to use the very non-PC but generally understood terminology)...but let their experiences teach you and broaden your view of the world.
Allow nature to run its course with hometown friends. The lasting friendships will be there when you get back, and the ones that were only a thing because you had no other options...well, life will move on for both of you. This doesn't have to be a sad thing, and you never know: you could reconnect later. But don't cling too tightly to things that aren't really there.
Focus on being a good friend, not on finding them, and you'll probably get the same in return.
If/when people grow apart, it doesn't have to be sad. You can always cherish the role they played in your life at that time, and remember how special they were, but again, you can't hold onto everything. There are some friends who you can take a lot of time from seeing, and then be back together like no time has passed, but that isn't going to be the case with everyone.
In regard to school:
Start the semester off organized and try to keep it that way. The natural progression of things is from order to chaos, and this has been quite true in my school experience as well.
Not all professors are inhuman robot-types. From what I've heard, this could be slightly dependent on your program of study haha...but in my experience, it can be worthwhile to try to connect with some of the good ones, and really get the benefit of their knowledge as well. I've had some profs who I'd consider to be like family, and I am actually quite appreciative of both their classes and the support they've offered. I know it sounds kind of lame, but it's always good to connect with the people who are working in the field you're entering into. Besides that, most of them were actively working in other areas of Communications (or whatever it is you studied) prior to teaching, and you can learn a lot from them.
If you have a choice for when to sign up for presentations, etc, pick the earliest ones: the semester generally seems to just get busier as it goes, they usually mark the first ones a little more leniently, and then it's over with!
Mark down deadlines in prominent places as soon as you get them (day planner, calendar, whatever). Aim to be done 24 hours before it's due.
In general:
"No regrets" is not always an option. Sometimes you have to go with what you think you will regret least. Life's complicated.
If you're always making excuses for or rationalizing yourself to people, then you are either making mistakes that you're in denial of, or you're hanging out with people who are incredibly dumb. Consider the first option to be the most likely, and deal accordingly.
Love is the single most dangerous and beautiful thing: full of paradoxes, surprises, complications, and happiness. It is a guaranteed way to add some pretty wacky dimensions to your life. Be careful with it, and be careful about where you put your heart.
Don't let everyone else set your priorities for you. If you have to do homework, if you have to work, if you have to go to bed, if you have to stop drinking BEFORE you get to the toilet-embracing stage...make those decisions yourself, because the odds are good that nobody is going to make them for you. Know what your long-term goals are and don't cave to the guilt trips or persistence. I'm not saying that there aren't times when you should just take a break, let loose a bit...but it's time, place, and a matter of making sure you're accomplishing what you came for.
Don't let people make your life decisions for you. Listen to advice, but don't take it all personally. Don't just listen to the people who tell you what you want to hear. Make your own choices, ESPECIALLY when it's hard, and stand behind them. It's very probable that you will make mistakes. But at least they'll be your own, and when you can take ownership of them, you can learn from them a lot faster.
Don't believe everything you hear: in classrooms, from your friends, from the people you date, from the randoms you come across. Questioning things isn't bad--it protects you. You never know what people's motivations are. People will manipulate you, use you, mistreat you and otherwise cause you pain, if you let them. Not everyone. And not everything you hear is a line--but some of it is. Be on your guard, and pay attention if your gut is telling you something isn't right.
Don't be afraid to say no to things you don't want to do. Even if it seems innocuous and you can't think of a logical reason for that nagging sense in your gut that it's a bad plan...stick to your answer.
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