The transition from high school to college is a huge milestone. We go from living just a few doors down the hall from our parents to living on our own. Even though the start of college is three months away, it’s never too early to start preparing. I’m lucky to have made it out of my freshman year alive, but there are definitely some things I wish I knew before hand.

1. Start Saving Up!

I never thought that I’d have to file bankruptcy at the age of 19. But they’re right… you become a broke college student very quickly. Start saving up for those rainy days.

2. Don't Overpack!

I have ALWAYS been an over-packer. So when I was packing for college, I figured that since I was going to be there for nine months, I’d wear just about everything in my wardrobe at home. Little did I know, I’d wear barely half of the clothes. The rest is just a waste of space. I cannot stress this enough, you don’t need as much as you think!

3. Dorm Rooms

After a long day of classes, your dorm room is the perfect place to go to catch up on some sleep and just relax. So make it YOU! Decorate it however you want, make it fun! Another tip, is to not do your homework in there. Your brain will associate your room with stress, and that’s the last thing you need on top of your load.

4. Parties

Being away from your parents basically comes with unlimited freedom. But remember that you came here for school. There for four years; it’s okay to say ‘no’ to going out once in a while.

5. Be Safe!

No matter how safe your campus is, you can never be too safe. Download the apps SafeTrek and OnCamera, in the event of an emergency.

6. Greek Life.

These days, Greek Life is prominent on the majority of college campuses. Some members of the Greek Community look down on those who are not in a sorority or fraternity. Remember, it’s okay to not be a part of it. However, if you do decide that it is for you, make sure you join for the right reasons and assure to join a house that is genuine and a perfect fit for you!

7. Be Good to Yourself.

In college, it is easy to get carried away with the freedom you have. Make sure to be good to yourself. Get an adequate amount of sleep, exercise, and eat well.

8. Rate my Professors.

It wasn’t until second semester that I utilized the website RateMyProfessors . This website saved my life since I was able to hand pick professors from the draw. It was also very helpful to see which professors actually use the required books as a part of their curriculum, or if they are just a waste of money.

9. Use All of Your Resources.

In college, it is easy to succeed if you use all of your resources. Go to class, go to office hours, go to the Think Tank and the Writing Center sessions. I guarantee that it will make your life a lot easier.

10. Textbooks.

Textbooks are CRAZY expensive. $200 for a Chemistry book that I’m going to use for only one semester? Yeah right. Once you’ve checked on RateMyProfessors to see if your professor actually uses the books or not, you should look for the books required on sites like Amazon and Chegg. Chances are, You’ll be able to save TONS of money.

College is such an amazing experience. Follow by these guidelines, learn as you go, and you'll have an amazing year!