Long story short—college is hard. It comes with a lot of ups and downs and sometimes you have no idea what to do about it. No matter what year you are, sometimes you are straight up screwed. But have no fear, there are tips and tricks to survive college, and here are the ones I find most useful.

1. If you want to do it, do it. If you don’t want to do it, don’t do it. This goes for any and all decisions you are faced with.

2. Don’t wait until the last minute for anything. Especially presentations or interviews. Just don’t do it.

3. Don’t come to college just for school. Experience all that it has to offer and find yourself.

4. Don’t be anyone’s second choice. You are too damn young to settle.

5. It’s better to have four quarters than one hundred pennies.

6. If you don’t understand #5, figure out what #5 means.

7. Beer counts as calories. Unfortunately. Drink vodka sodas (responsibly).

8. This isn’t a tip but a fact. You will gain weight. See tip #7.

9. Don’t be afraid to branch out and meet people who are different than you.

10. Trust the process.

College won’t be easy, but when you look back, it’ll be the best four years of your life. You have so much to learn, but before you know it, everything will fall right into place. And if it doesn’t, then keep on keepin’ on because one day, it will all click.