Beginning your freshman year of college can be both exciting and terrifying. You're going to a new school for maybe the first time in your life, and you'll be exposed to so many wonderful opportunities and new friendships. You may be wondering what to expect or if you're well-prepared or not. Here are a few things you should know to help you feel better prepared for your freshman year.

1. You will see a ton of people from high school.

We all thought this our senior year: I'm never going to see these people ever again! Wrong. This may only be true for those who go to college closer to home, but it's crazy how many people you see on campus who went to your high school. With me being about 30 minutes away from my hometown, I see about five people almost every day who I grew up with. This also stands true for those who go to college in the same state they grew up in; whether it's 30 minutes or two hours away, chances are, you will to run into certain people from your hometown.

2. Time management is your key to success, not pulling all-nighters.

All-nighters are not worth it, and are actually very easy to avoid when you have good time management skills. You may think you have all this time during the week with only having four or five classes and all, and you are going to think to yourself, "I can do it later. It's not that much homework." I'm going to tell you now, don't listen to that thought. You don't have all the time in the world, and that way of thinking will lead you to pulling all-nighters far too often. Save yourself the trouble; plus, it's much better to take that test after having a decent amount of sleep rather than cramming all night long.

3. Registering for classes will probably be the most stressful part of your college career.

Your advisors aren't kidding when they tell you to schedule your advising meeting as soon as you get that email that classes are up. If you wait, you won't get to meet with your advisor for weeks, and you won't get to sign up for those classes you wanted. Classes fill up fast. Chances are, your advisors probably won't be very sympathetic toward you when you complain to them that a class has been filled. Just remember, waking up at 6 a.m. to schedule your classes is worth it.

4. Sometimes it's OK to take a break.

You will probably find yourself in situations where you are so overwhelmed and need to take break, but you don't want to stop because you have so much to do. Take that break. It's OK. Read a book, watch Netflix. Just do something to take your mind off the stress. Only for a little, though, because you don't want to end up procrastinating.

5. Making friends takes time.

The chances of you being best friends with that person you met during orientation or welcome week is very slim. So, don't panic if you don't maintain those friendships. The best friendships take a while to form. You will find your friends, but it does take time.

6. Going to class is actually important.

This may seem like a given, but I have seen way too many people struggle because they don't go to class. You miss a ton if you skip class, and your professors aren't always going to be so kind about it. Even if your professor doesn't take attendance, showing up for class can make a big difference in your final grade.

7. Set up Microsoft Word so that it auto-recovers your files.

Thankfully, I learned this before Microsoft has shut down on me in the middle of an essay. When I found out about this setting, I set it up immediately. Tell everyone you know in order to save them from a mental breakdown when their paper decides to shut down the night before it's due.

8. Always wear your shower shoes. Always.

You might think this is obvious, but it's amazing how many people you will see who don't wear them. Community bathroom floors aren't exactly the cleanest. There's really no need to explain. Just wear your shower shoes.

9. Get organized.

It's scary how lost you will become when you don't write down due dates. You may think you'll remember everything, but once all of those assignments add up, you probably won't. Buy a planner, and actually use it. Also, don't throw everything into one folder. You will never find anything. Trust me, I've learned from experience.

10. Take advantage of the free food.

You will see a ton of organizations out on campus a few times a week, and they are almost always handing out free food. If you want it, take it. Why not? It's free.