So you're going to college in August. First of all, congrats! Secondly, good luck! Navigating everything by yourself for the first time can be daunting, exciting, and tricky all at once. Not to worry though! Fortunately, lots of people have already survived that first year (myself included). So, without further ado, here are 21 pro tips for the incoming college freshman.

1. You don't have to do everything your hallmates/suitemates do to make friends with them

If you're not into the party scene, you do not have to go. I repeat: you do not have to go to parties to make friends. If that's something you want to do, go for it! I assure you, you can be friends with your hallmates/suitemates either way.

2. Be pals with your RA

He/she lives with you, is an older student with experience, and genuinely wants to help you out. Don't pass that up.

3. If you're homesick, call home but don't go home

While 99% of people will never admit to experiencing homesickness, 100% do in some capacity. It's okay and it gets easier. The best thing to do is to focus on your work, call home daily, and don't go back home until you're over it. It's hard, but so worth it in the long run. (Bonus extra pro tip, clarify what your mom can and can't use from your conversations to update people who ask about you.)

4. Don't let professors intimidate you out of class in the first week

A lot of times, professors make themselves/their classes seem more difficult than they actually are to weed out students who don't plan on putting in a lot of effort. You will be fine.

5. Go. To. Class.

You're going to hear this from everyone for a reason. Going to class is beyond important. So if you're skipping, make it for a really good reason.

6. Compliments are a great conversation starter

The first step to making a friend is to talk to a person. Compliments are a great conversation starter because it's not weird for them to come out of the blue and who doesn't like being told they look good?

7. Avoid the dining halls at lunchtime at all costs

Dining halls at 12:00 are so crowded that you can't find a seat. If you do have to eat at that time, try to go a little earlier so you can get a seat.

8. It is okay to sit with strangers in dining halls

If you get stuck not being able to find a seat, it will not kill you to sit with someone you don't know. Promise.

9. Try stuff you haven't done before

First year of college is the perfect time to try new stuff without people judging you for it.

10. The day before classes start, walk around and make sure you know how to get to all of yours

Getting lost is easier than you think.

11. Don't schedule anything before 9:30 a.m. unless you're a hardcore morning person

You'll thank me later.

12. You don't have to drink coffee

If you do, good for you. If you don't, good for you.

13. Take study breaks

Work done when you're so tired your eyes are crossing is sometimes as bad as work that isn't done at all.

14. Be nice to people

It will always, Always, ALWAYS pay off.

15. Take basic tools when you move in

You never know when you might have to go pick up an extra shelf or something. Best to be prepared.

16. Make the first move

If you wanna hang out with someone, ask them to hang out. The worst thing that could happen is they say no.

17. Establish a routine

It can be tricky because you have so much new freedom, but it'll be really helpful in more ways than I can fit in this article.

18. When in doubt, take your laptop charger with you

You do not want to be that girl/guy who arrives to class five minutes late, out of breath, and sweaty because you had to race back to your dorm for your charger.

19. You can get a lot done in an hour

If you have any free time and work that needs to be done, work.

20. Try to avoid working in your room

You'll get so much more done at the library.

21. Remember that college is a social experience too

Go have fun!

So go out, conquer the world, get a degree, make lots of money and memories, and do college like you're a kid they put pictures of on their website.