College is a very special time in your life. Scratch that. It's the time of your life. You're about to be on your own, doing what you want to, pulling all-nighters with the coolest people you'll ever meet, and breathing in that magic air that only surrounds you for (approximately) four years.

The longer you live in a college town, the more it grows on you. Eventually, you'll be calling your university your temporary home. And it all begins with the most awkward day you've experienced to this point in your life: orientation. The process is overwhelming, and the shyest of people are surrounded by bubbly, bouncing extroverted counselors who really just want to make your life awesome.

Here are the top 10 things that run through every freshman's mind at orientation.

1. There are so many people here that I will probably never see again.

One of the main reasons orientation is overwhelming for students is because they meet hundreds of people in just a couple of days. Whether you attend a large or small university, odds are, you've got to work hard to stay in touch with your orientation survival pals. Swap numbers, talk over the remainder of the summer, and find each other when move-in day gets hectic.

2. My counselor is clinically insane. Is that going to happen to me when I'm a senior?

Relax, not every college student is suited for high-energy groups like orientation counselors. And, for the record, they don't draw their energy from Adderall. They just get really excited knowing you're about to attend the best university on the planet.

3. (In class registration): How do I do the thing?

Registration is arguably the most intimidating part of the process. Signing up for classes for the first time makes no sense and you just kind of forget how to breathe. Don't worry. Your counselors and advisors gain nothing from helping you fail. They'll set you up with the best schedule they can, and when it's all over, you'll wonder why you ever stressed out.

4. College campus 101: How do I find... everything?

We know, it's tough to adjust to a new environment and even harder to learn the ins and outs of everything. It comes with practice, trust me.

P.S. You're not going to look stupid asking the senior where your psych class is.

5. I should totally join a Greek/Frat.

First things first: if you decide to rush, you should know the terminology. Don't be caught dead saying, "frat." It's lazy and honestly shows you don't know much about Greek life.

If you decide to join a fraternity or sorority, prepare for four years of incredible support, amazing opportunities, and a whole lot of fun.

6. How am I going to get the Freshman Fifteen? This campus is HUGE!

Patience, grasshopper. Your first day on campus is the smallest you will ever feel. It doesn't take long to establish routine shortcuts to all of your classes, and then it will be time to find ways of staying fit. Check out the rec center for personal trainers and (occasionally) hit the salad bar instead of pizza in the cafeteria, but not too occasionally. Pizza is a food group, right?

7. What is this "sleep" of which you speak?

Why does my counselor keep telling me to get some sleep? With my schedule, I have time for, like, eight naps a day!

Actually, no. The more involved you become, the less you'll sleep. We don't blame you! Hanging out with your friends all night is totally worth the lack of concentration in your 8 a.m.! But only for so long. Take it from the eccentric upperclassman giving you your campus tour, he wishes he could be asleep right now. You can only go without rest for so long before it makes you crazy.

8. These lanyards are so cool! Where do I get one?

Orientation is the land of free stuff. People hand you bags, candy and more with your school's colors on it. There are two lessons to be learned, here:

1. You will be given free food, t-shirts and plenty of other things for the next four years. You've got time to start a collection.

2. The lanyard is just for show. The last time somebody wore their room key around her neck, her show got cancelled. Just trust us on this one.

9. What have I gotten myself into?

After countless hours surrounded by unfamiliar people in a strange environment, you feel exhausted. You've tasted your first dose of registration panic, dorm life, and filled out every piece of paperwork known to man. Basically, you've signed your soul over to your new college. Guess what?

10. Hello, college!

Just like that, you've survived the second scariest part of college! What's the first, you ask? Graduation! Now that you're ready to move in, make new friends and live your life, the next four years are going to fly by. Don't wish them away, freshmen. If we're being honest, the upperclassmen know that you have it better than any of us, because you've got four years to thrive in our personal heaven. All you have to do now is keep your grades up and work hard so you can play harder. At the end of it all, you're going to realize you paid for the best four years of your life, only for your degree to pay it back, tenfold.