So, it’s August, which means it’s time to go back to school. For you older kids, either you are about to start college or you are currently in college. You may be nervous about going to a school that’s so different from high school and possibly far from home. Or, maybe you think you have got this and you are a pro.

Well, I just graduated and let me tell you, I was not prepared for anything once I went to college. It was the first time I had ever been on my own, away from home and I really didn’t know what I wanted to do in college or what I wanted to do with my life, and I was in a very strange place in life. So, for those of you who may be going through something similar, I have a few hopefully helpful tips for you to survive the next couple years.

1. Do all of your homework. Do it early and do it right. Work now, play later.

I know it seems stupid and cheesy, but I’m telling you, this is the most important tip. If you know you have a big assignment or paper coming up, then start working on it as soon as you know what you have or want to do for it. It’s not fun, at all, staying up until 4 a.m. or 5 a.m. the day it’s due while trying to make sure you have a coherent assignment. It’s even worse when you are exhausted, don’t care and you are unprepared the day it’s due. Take it from the Procrastination Queen herself — stay on top of your homework.

2. Go to tutoring or campus services if you need help or a second look.

Trust me, there’s no judgment. If you don’t understand something or if you want another opinion on a paper or speech, colleges have so many opportunities for you to get help. There’s so much available to help you, you just have to take the initiative and take advantage of it. Why fail a test because you didn’t understand the concept rather than go to tutoring and make sure you know how to use it when it matters? Why retake a class when you don’t have to?

3. Make friends in your classes.

Whether you are trying to pass the time before class starts or the professor makes you partner up for an in-class assignment, you are going to be glad you have a friend in class. Plus, you never know when you are going to need to borrow or copy notes from a class you missed and it is a lot easier to do this when you talk to someone in that class.

4. Pay attention in class.

I know, you have five tests next week, six homework assignments to complete by Sunday and you are trying to figure out how to do all that and still be able to go out this weekend. Or, you are exhausted because you went to bed late (or not at all) or maybe you just really hate 8 a.m. classes. But, hear me out. You (or your parents/guardian) paid thousands of dollars for this class. Whether you think you need it or not, you paid to be there and you need to pass. It won’t kill you to pay attention for an hour and a half. You never know when that information will come in handy — hello trivia night!

5. Enjoy it!

You are under a lot of stress right now, believe I know, I have been there. School is hard and can seem pointless sometimes and it may seem like it will never get easier, but it does. Those four years will fly by and be over before you know it and then you are in the real world, where you are scrambling to find some sort of job related to your major while trying to find a place to live and be able to afford rent, food, bills and whatever else. At least in school you have a set schedule, a reason to get out of bed everyday and a safety net. After graduation, you have nothing but your degree and whatever amount of determination to find a job. I just graduated and already the real world is terrifying. Too many possibilities, too much competition and not enough “experience.” Take advantage of everything school has to offer while you are still able to. You might hate it now, but you’ll thank yourself later.

So there’s my brief “Jessica’s Declassified College Survival Guide” to keep in mind as you go back to school. And although I say “college,” keep these tips in mind no matter what year you are in school. And overall, just keep your head up, work hard and do your best, because it’ll be over before you know it.