Ah, the beginning of the semester. It's time to see all of your friends who went home for the summer, get back in a glorious routine and improve yourself by receiving that college education! You're excited about the new semester, football games, and then it hits you: adult-like responsibilities. They sneak up on you out of nowhere, leaving you face down in a pool of your own tears.

1. Keep food with you at all times.

You think I'm kidding? You think this is some kind of game? It's not. When you're sitting through your third class of the day, and you've yet to eat lunch, you will most definitely thank me.

2. Find a stress-relieving activity.

Go for a run, wrap yourself in a burrito of blankets in your room, hang out with friends, or simply go explore. You will surely need some "me time" every day to unwind from the wonderful craziness that is college life.

3. Actually study, maybe?

If you don't study and pass your classes. I really don't think this needs very much explanation, but I'm proven wrong about something every single day.

4. Lean on your friends.

And vice versa. They're there for you. You're there for them. This is a pretty cool thing, huh?

5. Go to class.

You'll have those classes that make you wish you were anywhere else. Trust me, I know. But, go and pay attention anyway. Even if you learn absolutely nothing that day during lecture, you'll at least get points for attendance.

6. Schedule breaks between classes.

This semester, I made a terrible, horrible, no good, really bad mistake. I didn't schedule lunch during my Tuesday-Thursday classes. That's why point number one is point number one. Learn from my mistakes, kids.

7. Know the location of the nearest coffee source.

College students' blood type is coffee. Enough said.

8. Get sleep at some point.

I understand sleep is a rare occurrence at this point in life. That's the real reason they put couches in these academic buildings.

9. Live in the moment and be spontaneous.

You'll get a routine, and that's great. However, you need to shake life up a bit at times and do something completely unplanned and spontaneous. Those are the best adventures

10. Make the most of your weekends.

I know most of you work. I know most of you need to catch up on homework and sleep. I also know that you need to get excited and do stuff.

11. Do all the extracurricular things.

The people I hear complaining about college are the people who are involved in absolutely freaking nothing. Plug in somewhere, and make the most of your time in school.