Going to college is a massive stage of life. It means a change in environment, outlook, and lifestyle. To make life easier during this huge transformation, it is important to keep a lot of things in mind. Very often, when you feel lost as freshman, it is good to know that there is an article somewhere, here on Odyssey, to help you make sense of the chaos, and to guide you into a smooth freshman year. Take a minute to read what I wish I knew as a freshman, because I know it would have made all the difference -

1. Attend orientation.

Often, students get tired and are not interested in attending the sessions and events planned during Orientation Week, but know that it is these events that help facilitate interaction with new people, and answer many questions that you may as an entering student. So not only is it a good idea to attend orientation, but it is also great to be active and excited throughout it.

2. Ask questions.

Whenever you feel stuck or confused, ask questions. Don't hesitate, because there are many others like you who have the same questions and are going through the same doubts.

3. Use campus resources to your benefit.

Make sure to see your Academic Advisor, the peer tutoring center when in need of help, the health services, and more. They are there for you, and it is only valid that you make full use of them.

4. Join clubs.

Join clubs. Be involved. It is a wonderful opportunity to get to meet new people, gain experience, have interactions that you love, and have something to do besides academics.

5. Get a planner.

This one is really important. It is vital that you get a planner and plan ahead. Plan the work that you need to complete throughout the week, such as, homework, assignments, presentations, meetings with people/club, etc.. It will make your life so much easier, and help you navigate smoothly through the week, and your life.

6. Plan a sport or work out.

Imagine how cool would it be to be a part of a sport team at your college ? Even if you aren't that interested in playing in sports, work out. Design a work out routine, see the nutritionist/dietician at your college, and stay fit and healthy. You need that in college.

7. Be respectful and humble.

It is always a good idea to be respectful of people and your surroundings, no matter how different they are from you, or from what you are used to seeing. Irrespective of who you meet, be humble and true to who you are.

8. Breathe in. Breathe out. Repeat.

College can be difficult. It can cause stress and anxiety, so in situations when you feel like you are losing control, it is important to meditate, or even just taking a deep breathe in, and letting it out. It will help, as Science has proven it, and will fill you with courage and strength.

9. Stay in touch with people back home.

They can be your biggest cheerleaders. Your friends, family, and networks back home can help and guide you in unexpected times. They will always be there for you, and you can never feel alone with them.

10. Start studying from the start.

Take one day at a time. Study what you were taught today, and it will stay with you forever. Studying from the very beginning helps in reducing stress and workload when the exams approach. It is a great idea to prepare notes and flash cards from the very beginning, because in the end, even just going through these notes once or twice before the exam would be enough.

11. Keep in mind, what I call "The 3 Commandments" when going out.

Whenever you are going out, make sure you have at least these three things with you - your wallet, your ID with keys, and your phone. Having at least these three important things with you will make sure that you have a good time, without any hassle or worries.

12. Explore the college and town/city you live in.

Take tours of your college and be well-versed with the location of your classes and other on-campus resources. Make sure to step out of the college, and into the town/city to have fun and create boundless memories. We all know that "all work and no play made Jack a dull boy." We don't want that to happen to us.

13. Get important apps on your phone.

Yes, Pokemon Go is great, and definitely a must-have. But it is also important to get apps, such as, Blackboard (if your college uses it), your college portal's app, Google Sheets, your bank's official app, apps for taxi and cab services, amongst other dating and period-tracking apps, because God knows how much college students need them !

14. Keep checking bulletin board and the walls around the college.

Make sure to keep an eye for important flyers and notices around campus, since you never know where you might find opportunities that you had always been waiting for !

15. Keep a lookout for volunteering opportunities, recruiters on campus, and internships.

All college students want to do extra. It is the stage of life where nothing is ever enough, and we are constantly looking to make our life more enriched, diverse, and full of new experiences.

16. Prepare a resume and more.

Prepare a resume, a LinkedIn profile, and other similar accounts. If you get stuck somewhere or don't know how to create one, ask for advice around campus, and make use of the resources that specialize in helping students get prepared for jobs and internships.

17. Your school is willing and eager to give you money in the form of research grants and extracurricular funding. If you show enough interest, you can get that new club started, or that bigger-than-life project or event turned into reality.

18. And last but not the least, don't ever forget to be yourself.

Don't be afraid to be yourself. You are your biggest strength, and if there is one thing you need to get through college successfully and happily, it is you, yourself. You are all you need to survive through all hardships, and to celebrate all achievements. Don't be too hard on yourself. Give yourself a world of chances, and watch yourself turn your dreams into reality !