Bring Water Everywhere

1. Gosh darnit, it's hot on campus! If you're anywhere south of Canada in August, it's gonna be kinda toasty on your college campus. Don't be afraid to carry around a water bottle (reusable, please save the Earth, fam) to classes, functions, and interest meetings. And keep water in your dorm too! You don't want to have to rush out to your hall's water fountain in your oversized Star Wars t-shirt and no pants (no? just me?) if you're feeling absolutely parched in the middle of the night.

Take Advantage of Free Food and Meal Exchanges

I'm telling you, if you're not already tired of your meal plan, you will be soon, so if your school is hosting ice cream socials and receptions, GO TO THEM. You get free food, dude. And you meet people, too, which is less important, but still. Stuff your backpacks full of french fries and half melted chocolate ice cream bars while you can, because you'll be missing them halfway through the semester when you're stuck eating oatmeal* and sadness.

Wear Comfy Shoes

Take a good look at those six-inch Jimmy Choo heels** and throw them in the back of your closet, because you won't be needing them in college. If your school is anything like mine, then you'll know that everything is spread out. And I mean everything. Chances are you will be walking at least three to five miles a day. At least. So, bust out those tennis shoes, take a swig of water, and get ready for the mad walking you're about to do. At least your calves will look amazing by the end of the first year (or at least, all that walking will balance out the soggy fries and half melted ice cream you stole earlier.)

Call Home

I don't care how grown you think you are now. There will be a time in the week where you'll REALLY miss home. So, like...call home! Call your parents, your siblings, your friends from high school, your dog...whoever. You will feel so much better, and so much less stressed. And trust me, your friends and family really do want to hear from you, and will be happy you did.

Introduce Yourself To The Teacher

Please do this! It's so important! If you're in a lecture hall with like 300 people in it (and even if you aren't…) then there is no way your professor/TA will know your name. Put a name to the face, sit up in the front and nod during lectures, even if they're not super interesting (and they WILL be because college classes are awesome). Your GPA will thank you!

Make Friends With At Least One Person In Class

When you're late, or sick, or you just forget that class is a thing, wouldn't you want to have one lovely little person there to give you the notes you missed, or hand you a tissue box, or just be there for you? Of course you would! So make a friend in every class so that someone's got your back-and you've got theirs :)

Go To Interest Meetings

There will be food at these things. You will meet people at these things. You will sign up for too many mailing lists at these things. But most importantly, you will already be ahead of the game as you start looking at things that interest you and clubs you want to join! No matter where college takes you, it won't hurt listening to your awesome upperclassmen talk for a little bit while eating popcorn.