Before I started college, I read countless articles about what my freshman year would be like and how to make it perfect. The advice I read about was great, but now, as an incoming sophomore, I feel like there's so much more I wish I knew before going into my freshman year. With help from my friends, I am here to give you, the incoming and amazing new freshmen, some sound advice I was given or learned along my first-year journey. Enjoy!

1. Rent those overpriced and hardly used textbooks.

Unless you can get them for dirt cheap from upperclassmen, save yourself some money and rent your textbooks. I have wasted so much money on textbooks I used, like, once, so definitely ask your professor if the book is actually worth getting once classes start before actually getting it.

2. Go to class. Seriously.

Skipping class may seem fun and all until you realize you're majorly behind. There's nothing sexier than a person invested in their education. You should strive to make the Dean's List. Don't be that person who only shows up to class every blue moon and forgets there's a test that day they finally show up.

3. Get takeout every once and a while, but not ALL the time.

A friend of mine spent $547 on fast food in one year. Do not be like him. Save your money for more important things that may come up throughout the year, not on food that's going to stink up your dorm and give you pangs of regret a few hours later.

4. Ask for student discounts wherever you go.

I did not take advantage of this until the end of my freshman year and I so regret it. Movie tickets to American Eagle and even Mcdonalds become instantly discounted with the flash of your ID, so get to using it, people!

5. Ladies and gents please be safe when it comes to sex.

STD's and STI's are a very real thing and spread throughout a college campus like wildfire. Have fun and let loose but just know one wrong move could land you in a super sticky situation. Take advantage of free testings and screenings your health center offers.

6. Feeling pressured to go out every weekend? It's OK to say no.

Trust me when I say you're not missing out. Going out is fun and I highly encourage doing so, but don't feel the need to do it all the time. Stay in and work on that project and get that A, because I guarantee that the kids going out every weekend aren't getting the grades they or their parents can be proud of.

7. Get involved with something as soon as you can.

Something I sadly never went through with. Please do not waste yourself away in your dorm. Join a club or rush a fraternity or sorority! Colleges offer so many clubs for students to join, and if you don't find any of interest, be a boss and start your own!

8. Talk to strangers as often as you can. Be social!

Leave your door open and talk to anyone who passes by. Put a whiteboard on your door so people can write on it. One of my best friends I made my freshmen year was a total stranger and now I'm living with her this year. Getting over your fear of talking to people you don't know is something that has to happen sooner or later.

9. Don't expect to be best friends with your roommate(s).

In some cases, roommates become best friends forever, but let's be real, you will get into arguments with them and you may drift when you begin to form your core group of friends and that's totally fine. If you have an issue, let them know and be nice about it. You guys should be able to talk like adults, but if needed, get an RA to smooth things out.

10. Your friend group will change by the time your freshman year is over.

People drift and make new friends, so if you see that happening just let it. I formed my core group of friends by the end of the year, and yes I lost some friends along the way. It's worth it in the end because the people by my side now will always be there no matter what. These are your forever people and don't be afraid to be picky in choosing who they are.

11. You'll be homesick at some point.

Do not go home every weekend because you miss your dog. You will literally have no social life because you miss every single opportunity to mingle with your fellow classmates. I was so homesick my first semester. I cried all the time, and it took me by surprise because I thought I wasn't going to be homesick at all. However, I only went home occasionally, because I wanted to force myself to get used to living away from home and be my own person. By your second semester, your college is going to feel more like home than your actual home. Call your mom or dad or whoever, cry, and move on, it's going to be fine.

12. The freshman 30 is a thing, not just the 15.

Going out every weekend is going to leave its mark on many people. Lay off the beer and take out when you can. Walk to class and take the stairs instead of the elevator. It'll go a long way. I lost weight my freshmen year because URI is built on hills, so I was constantly walking up and down hills to class. Hello, exercise!

13. Going to the gym is super important, but don't feel pressured to go every single day.

Staying healthy is essential in college, but not everyone is a fitness guru that has the time to go to them gym every single day for two hours. Whether you go once a week or every so often, just make some effort to go.

14. The library will become your best friend.

Studying in a dorm is impossible sometimes, so find your special spot at the lib and do your work there. It may be a hike from your dorm, but the fresh air will do you good. Grab some snacks and headphones, and get some work done.

15. Stock up on Tylenol and Advil, you're going to get sick a lot.

Your health center won't be much help to you when you're sick. My strep throat was misdiagnosed and by the time it was finally treated right I was a swollen gross mess. Have tissues and over the counter medicines in stock, and pop an Airborne the second you don't feel good.

16. Go to University planned events.

Hello, career fairs and puppies on the quad! Get out of the mindset that you're too cool for events your university plans because people went through a lot of trouble to set it all up for you. Have some school spirit and go to sporting events as well!

17. Don't let what other people think get to you. Do you.

I can't stress this enough. People are mean and think things have to be their way or the highway. People have yet to mature and will speak badly about you (in my case) because it makes them feel better about themselves.

DO NOT LET THESE PEOPLE PHASE YOU!

You can do whatever you want because it's 2017, not 1817. Wear that shirt, date that person, and be yourself because there's only one you. You know yourself better than anyone else.

18. The school you attend now may not be the right school for you. Transferring is totally ok.

One of my best friends transferred to a new school second semester and loves it more than anything. Yes, it's scary having to start over, but why suffer in a place that no longer feels like home? I suggest spending a whole year with your present school before transferring, to be sure it's something you really want to do.

19. Commuters, don't waste money on a meal plan. People living on campus, don't waste the money you're investing in your meal plan.

Commuters, eat at home, save yourself some money. For those of you on campus, make sure you take advantage of that meal plan, it's not cheap. I make sure to use my swipes to full advantage, and if you can, steal some food for your dorm to have as a snack later.

20. Be clean. Don't be a disgusting slob.

The janitorial staff work really hard to keep bathrooms clean, so do your part to keep them clean as well. Don't line the toilets with toilet paper and leave them like that, please flush the toilet, and throw away sanitary products properly. My eyes have been scarred for life after some of the things I've seen in the bathroom.

21. Be prepared to be culture shocked.

As a girl born into a very strict family, it was mind blowing for me to see how other people are. Yes it will make you uncomfortable and some people won't understand why. It took a bit, but I've now come to be more open to how other people act or live, and the best thing you can do is just keep your opinions to yourself.

22. You may lose touch with your high school squad.

Yes, your high school friends were amazing, and you want to keep your groupchat alive, but at some point the texts will stop. Freshmen year is such a busy time. It's hard enough to hang out with your college friends due to homework or club meetings. Winter and summer break are perfect opportunities to see your high school squad again, but you may find you've grown apart, and that's normal.

23. You will fail tests and even classes, and find you have to relearn how to study.

Pumping and dumping won't cut it anymore. Professors want you to really learn the material, so you'll have to revamp your studying methods. One thing you need to stop right away is studying and having your phone in the same area. Put that phone away so you can work without distraction.

24. You're an adult now. Hold your own when you're out partying.

You may be new to the party world or a seasoned member, but either way you have no excuse to be throwing up on everyone and everything. If you don't know your limits you need to learn them, because you never know if anyone will be there to help you. Keep your wits about you, or bring someone with you who will.

25. Get a planner and stay organized.

I can't stress organization enough. I didn't use my planner because I assumed I would just remember everything, and that was a huge mistake. Write all of your test dates and assignments in your planner as soon as you get them. Don't pull a me, please be smart. You'll be amazed at how much easier things will be for you the second you decide to get organized.

26. Talk to your professors and get tutoring if you need it.

Professors are people too. Make sure to talk to all of your professors, and go to office hours any chance you get. I didn't get to know mine until it was too late and I needed help saving my failing grade. If I had put in the time to go to office hours and get extra help, my grades may have been a lot better. Also, do not depend on friends to help you study, that backfires so badly, trust me. You will only study what your friends want, and by the time you get to something you struggle with, everyone is too tired to continue. Every university has people set aside to help tutor you in many of the subjects you struggle in, so take advantage of this FREE opportunity.

27. Remember to enjoy every minute of your freshmen year because it flies by super fast!

Take as many pictures and Snapchats as you can. I love going through my phone with my friends and remembering all the crazy things we did and went through. College is going to be the best time of your life, so live it up and have fun!