The first couple of weeks after arriving on campus for your first college semester might include some of the biggest changes you’ve ever had to face in a short amount of time. It’s exciting, it’s new, it’s fun… but it’s also rough. This first couple of weeks have been the most eye-opening time ever. You learn more about yourself than you ever thought you could. Here’s some advice from a freshman in college who is going on week 8 of this new.

1. Learn how to manage your time sooner rather than later

One of the biggest challenges in the first weeks of school is balancing time for class, homework, extracurriculars, all the fundamentals of everyday life; eating, sleeping, exercising (or not), Netflix (duh, while trying to make new friends and have a fun time. It's a lot. In High School learn when you work best, when you want to sleep, wake up, etc... it's a lot to figure out in a very short amount of time.

2. Learn what calms you down

The reality of the first couple weeks of school is that there will be times where you feel stressed, overwhelmed, sad and maybe lonely. Take note of what makes you happy during senior year of High School, and utilize that as best you can. Take advantage of whatever that is, it will come in handy.

3. Cherish your family and friends

Although it may seem like all you want to do is get away from them sometimes, it doesn't take long for the nostalgia to kick in. Give the ones you love a few extra hugs, the time apart feels incredibly long.

4. Be open

A lot about college is trying new things, meeting new people, going out of your comfort zone. Be open to the idea of this, you never know what interest you might find that you never thought you would like.

5. Practice being independent

Even just in that moment of saying goodbye to Mom and Dad, it seems like you're on your own a lot in the first couple weeks of college. Do what you can to prepare for that. Don't rely on other people for everything, start taking life into your own hands! It will help you now, and especially a lot later.

6. GET EXCITED!

Even just from being at school for 8 weeks, I'm the happiest I ever thought I would be. College is a breath of fresh air, it's going to introduce you to so many new aspects of life. You'll make great friends and even greater memories. The stress of getting in might make it feel like you're drowning right now, but once you reach that breath of fresh air, it makes all the hardships worth it.