Getting ready for college is easily one of the most exciting things you'll do as a young adult. While this is a fun time, it is also very nerve-racking. Do you have the right supplies? Do you know where your classes are? Do you have friends in any of your classes? There's so much to know before you start your college career this fall. Here are some tips I wish I had when I was going into my freshman year at college.

1. Breathe

First and foremost: breathe. It's all going to be ok. Trust me, I've been there. I know how scary it is to walk onto a new campus you know nothing about with people you know nothing about. Take a second to realize that everyone else in your class is just as nervous as you are. You're all in the same boat, and I promise you'll get through it.

2. Talk To People

I'm telling you right now, there is nothing more awkward than being in a quiet elevator full of people. You'll all just stand there staring at each other, but no one will say a word. Don't be shy. Introduce yourself, and it will make things much less awkward. Who knows, you may even make a new friend or two. I met my best friend my freshman year by just talking to her at one of the welcome week events we had. We still keep in touch to this day, and we made the best memories that year.

3. Go To Class

Out of everything on this list, this is the most important one, and I can't stress it enough. GO TO CLASS. Trust me, I know how easy it is to skip a class here, and a class there. But, I promise you, it is in your best interest to go to class. A lot of material is covered in a single lecture, and if you miss it once you may not get to hear it again. Contrary to popular belief, there are professors who take attendance, and missing class on the regular could negatively effect your final grade. If you have to miss class for some reason, make sure to get in touch with your professor, and get notes from a friend.

4. Go To Your Professor's Office Hours

Your professor's office hours will be listed on the syllabus handed out on the first day of class. Office hours are a time when professors will be in their offices for you to drop in and meet with them. While attending office hours is not mandatory, I would highly recommend it. This allows you to have some one-on-one time with your professor, and it shows them that you care about their class. Professors love knowing that a student is trying their best, and there is no better way to show them that you care than by going to their office with your questions.

5. Keep The Syllabus

This is another important one! Your syllabus is essentially your roadmap to the class. On it will be your professor's contact information, their office hours, the class grading scale, and every assignment/test you will have in class that semester. It is important that you keep your syllabus for every class you until the end of the semester. Sometimes, professors will remind you before an assignment is due, but you're expected to be on top of due dates as they are all in the syllabus that is given out on the first day of class.

6. Do Your Homework And Study

Make sure to set aside ample time to do your homework and study. It's easy to get caught up in everything and miss an assignment. Whatever you do, try your hardest to avoid this by planning ahead, and setting times for you to get your stuff done. It is also important to note that studying in college is different than studying in high school. Try different methods, find which ones work, and stick with it. It's not a fun process, but it's more than worth it.

7. Get Involved

If you want to keep yourself busy while building you're resume in the process, join a campus club or organization. Each campus has plenty of clubs to join, along with both social and academic fraternities and sororities. If there isn't a club on campus that interests you, start your own, and make it great! Whatever you do, just do something.

8. Have Fun

While it's important to put school first and get all of your work done, it is also important to have fun. These are the best years, and you don't want all of your college memories to be of writing papers and studying for tests. Make sure to do your work, maintain your social life, and have fun. You only go through college one time as a young adult, so make it count while you're here!

There's no set way to go through your college career, and even us veterans don't fully have the hang of it yet. Just hang in there, and everything will work out fine. Welcome to college, class of 2020!