My sophomore year of college starts on August 29th and I'm both excited and dreading my mid-Monday morning return to the University of Southern Maine. It's my first day back and it the high school jitters have started up, nothing like the feeling of a freshman walking into a new school though. I was shaking, last year. I hung out around the campus for a solid five hours before my first class even began. Needless to say, I was nervous - about as nervous as I was for my first day of high school. Year one went well at USM, but here are twelve things I wish I had known before that first day of my second freshman year:

1. Organization? Whatever Works

High school consisted of jamming papers into a bag and magically whipping them out to turn them in. That was fine and dandy until binder checks came and - you guessed it - many failing grades. College is different though. If it works for you, then go for it.

2. Sweatpants And A T-Shirt Is Acceptable

Nobody really cares what you wear, unless it's blatantly outrageous. Even then, it's usually still okay. Just remember to smell good.

3. Your Accolades Lose Value

Oh, you were smart in high school? A standout athlete? You were in the top 2% on your mathematics SAT score? Nobody really cares - you have to prove it.

4. Professors Are Friends

Professors are there to teach, to help, to shape you and hold you to a higher standard. You may butt heads at times, but they're not trying to pull you down.

5. You'll Be In The Same Classes As Seniors

Each class varies, but most of the time, you'll be in a class that varies in age and academic year. Get used to it. Remember that you're all adults.

6. Reputations Are Important Right Away

You are what you make yourself to be. Respect from peers can be gained as fast as it is lost.

7. Tutoring - There's No Shame

In high school, it was almost as if it was shunned to use a tutor after school. Or at least, sometimes it may have felt that way - especially if you were known for pulling great grades on your own. In college, it's a competition for the real world. Do as well as you can. Use the resources provided.

8. Communication Is More Important Than Ever

You better be ready to check your email, five, six, seven times per day. Make sure you have text alerts on, have all of your classmates' information, your professors' phone numbers, etc.

9. You're Not The Only Nervous Freshman

This is the second time this scenario has happened in your life, and you know it. You have to know that you're not alone.

10. A Personal Computer Or Laptop Is Mandatory

You'll be typing around the clock, every single night. You need to have something that will last into the early AM, and be able to access information at any given time. Thank Apple for smartphones! Remember, the library isn't open 24/7 so you'll need to plan how to find information.

11. The Library Isn't Open 24/7

In case you thought you could get away with sleeping over in there.. HA!

12. Having Fun Is Important

You have free time, now go have fun with that! Just remember to plan your fun in a fit schedule!