Entering college for the first time can be a stressful and scary experience. Moving away from home for the first time, being on your own, being away from friends, etc. It gets better as you go through college on your own, but here's some advice for the freshmen coming into college from the senior who has been in your shoes and is about to graduate.
Be yourself and make as many memories as you can. Trust me the time goes by so quickly, and before you know it, you're a senior and graduating. Don't say no to going to the movies or eating out or hanging with someone unless you need a breather or you have important homework deadlines to finish. You don't want to regret anything.
Go to class. I can't stress this enough, you need to show up to class all the time. If you're sick, fine, stay home, but for the most part, go to class. You're paying to be there and take that class, just show up. Get to know the professors, it will help you tremendously later on. If your professor knows who you are by name and remembers you, that is going to be the best thing for you when it comes time for recommendation letters.
Study. A lot. You may think the way you studied in high school will work fine, but trust me, it won't. Neither will not studying. Change your study style, find new places to study, find good people to study with. It will help you so much later.
Make lots of friends, join clubs. Participating in different clubs on campus is a great way to meet new people and to gain community service hours. Plus, if you're interested in the club and what they do, it could help for your career, if you join a club that relates to your career path, anyway.
Take each moment in. Breathe. Be yourself. Have fun. Don't let the little things upset you. Make lasting friendships and memories.
These are some things I wish I had known coming into college as a freshman but didn't get told.
