I’m three years into college and will be graduating this spring as a junior. Looking back, I remember how stressful and exciting my freshman year was. I’ve learned a lot about college since then, and there are some bits of advice I wish I could go back in time to tell myself. Whether you’re a high school senior or already a college freshman, here are some tips for surviving your first year of college.

1. You don’t have to be friends with your roommate: Not everyone gets along with their first roommate in college, and that’s OK. In fact, it’s super rare (and a miracle) if you and your roommate hit it off right away and become instant best friends. Don’t force a friendship if it’s not going to work out. It’s important to be civil and respectful toward one another (you are living together, after all, and there’s no need to make a stressful year more stressful) but if you two have nothing in common, or just don’t really connect, then that’s fine. You will meet plenty of people at college and will certainly make some life-lasting friendships along the way. It doesn’t have to be your first roommate.
2. Be open: Speak up when you’re uncomfortable. If your roommate is playing music too loud when you’re trying to study, or if they’re drinking in your room and you’re not comfortable, then be honest, and if it comes to it, be assertive. Don’t let others walk over you or treat you unfairly. Again, settling into college is already stressful enough. You don’t have to feel uneasy, and you’re not rude for demanding respect.
3. Don’t be close-minded: This isn’t high school anymore. You will not be around people who are from your neighborhood or have known since kindergarten. You will meet a whole new variety of people from all over the country or even abroad. Don’t pass judgment and stay open-minded as you try to start new friendships. But also keep in mind that, like in high school, some friendships might not last, and that’s OK. People come and go, drop out or transfer, or go in different directions post-grad. It’s nice to have a support system in college, whether they’re your study buddies or teammates or sorority sisters or just someone to grab coffee with, but don’t be tied down by any clique mentality. Be inclusive.
4. Save your money: Yes, I’m talking about textbooks. If you can, buy your textbooks online instead of at your campus bookstore. They’re a lot cheaper and some sites, like Amazon, will give you student discounts. Or, if your professor will let you, download the textbook on your laptop, Kindle, or other devices. Only go to the bookstore as a last resort if you can’t find your textbook anywhere else. You’ll have more money left over for food, emergencies, other college necessities and best of all, for treating yourself!
5. Early morning classes have their benefits: I was upset when I registered for my classes for second semester and saw that the only available time for a class I needed was at 8 a.m. I consider anything before 10 to be an ungodly hour (and still do). However, while they can be rough, early morning classes can also be good. You get to see the sun rise every morning, have breakfast before the dining hall gets too crowded, and over time, it’ll be easier to wake up early (an important and often overlooked skill for working those 9-5 jobs after graduation).
6. Eat healthy: A lot has been said before about avoiding the dreaded “Freshman Fifteen”, but it’s important. You can have the occasional Starbucks before class but don’t just eat burgers and fries every day. Go to the deli or salad bar. You will feel better on the inside and out, and with that being said…
7. Study healthy: Freshmen year is the best time to develop healthy studying habits. They’ll make or break whether you pass your first year and will carry you through the next three years. Pay attention in class (don’t doze off), take lots of notes (copy down everything the teacher says, even if it seems unimportant, it could come back up in a test), take study breaks, and make time to go to the library. It’s a lot less distracting than studying in your room, and you don’t want to be one of those guys who camps out in the library during finals week because they didn’t study all semester. But more importantly, whatever you do, do NOT pull all-nighters. You will be tired and cranky and won’t remember anything you stayed up all night studying for. That is not a good state to be in before a test, and it’s never worth it.
8. Care less about what others think: In high school, it’s easy to get wrapped up in giving off the right impression or wondering what others think of you, and it’s even easier to carry that mindset into college. But really, college is a much bigger and far less judgmental environment. No one cares what you wear or if you eat lunch by yourself in the dining hall. When I was a freshman, I cared so much about dressing nice and went out of my way to not wear sweatpants. Now, I show up to class almost every day in a hoodie. It feels much better putting your personal comfort over a public image.
9. It’s OK to not know: Not everyone comes to college knowing for certain what they want to major in. It’s okay to say you’re “undeclared” or just don’t know what you want to do after graduation. Your first year of college is a time for growth and learning, not just academically but personally as well. Get involved in clubs; take a class in a subject that interests you. Focus less on what could make the most lucrative profit and focus more on what keeps you engaged. Chances are, you’ll find it sooner rather than later in college.
10. Be responsible: Unless you’ve been to sleep away camp as a kid, your freshmen year of college will be your first time living on your own. Living independently can be as exciting as it is daunting. But so long as you have the necessities (clean sheets, first aid kit, Ramen…) and stay out of trouble (your RA is your best friend), you’ll be fine. Your parents may not be around but you should still regularly clean your dorm and do your laundry. College is a time to grow and mature, not to get away with being a slob.

And lastly…

11. Have fun (but don’t be crazy): You should work hard and study hard while in college, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have fun! College is going to be a wonderful time in your life, so make the most of it. Go to a game, watch movies on Netflix with your friends, or just curl up with a good book in bed. Relax. Take deep breaths. Have a good time.

But that doesn’t mean you should go crazy and get drunk every night. I decided to go to a private Catholic school partly, because I thought there wouldn’t be as big of a drinking scene/Greek Life, like at a state school. But it turns out no matter where you go, there will be drinking and all the trouble that comes with it. Don’t be a part of it. Underage drinking can get you in serious trouble and you don’t want to cut your college experience short.