The first semester of freshman year is an adjustment period where everything seems both exciting and terrifying. And while there's no way you can be 100% ready for college before you start, there's a few things you can keep in mind to make your transition a little easier.

1. Join clubs

Get involved in as many on campus clubs as your schedule can handle. This is one of the easiest ways to make friends and find something to occupy your time when you're not in class. It doesn't even have to be a club that requires a big commitment like SGA or Greek life. There's a club at my school that just gets together once a week to play Super Smash Bros. Find a club you think sounds fun and sign up.

2. Figure out the best study method for you

I never studied in high school. Not a single time. Somehow I always made A's and B's. When I got to college, I met tons of people who had the same story. Not studying in college won't fly. You WILL fail if you don't study. But not everybody learns the same way, so try out different methods and see what works for you. I discovered that writing things out over and over helped me a lot, as well as flashcards. Google some studying techniques and try them out.

3. You don't have to go to EVERY party

I used to think I was missing out on the "college experience" if I didn't say yes to every opportunity to party or go out with my friends. It took me until the end of my sophomore year to realize that going out when I really don't want to is just a waste of my time. There's no use in going to a party if you're just gonna be sulking in the corner all night because you're tired and don't want to be there. There will be plenty of parties throughout your 4 years, so it won't kill you to miss a few.

4. Don't take 8ams

I know what you're thinking: "But I had to get up early every day for high school, so it won't be too hard for me to get up for an 8am class."

That's a damn lie. College students will complain about any class that starts before noon. When your alarm wakes you up for class at an ungodly hour and you know you have the option of skipping, it will become harder and harder to resist. That's not to say you shouldn't take 8ams if they're the only option for a class you absolutely need, but avoid them if at all possible.

5. Half the stuff you brought "just in case", you will never end up using

Those cooking supplies? You'll never use them, on campus dining is way more convenient. The vacuum? You can just rent one from an RA on shift. Don't even get me started on all those office supplies.

All incoming freshmen overpack before coming to college. It's just a fact that some of the things you bring you won't end up ever using. Talk to friends or family that are currently in college and ask them for advice on what to bring and what not to bring. And if you realize part way through the year that you don't need something, take it back home during a break. It'll make move out day much easier.

6. The friends you make in your first semester might not be your friends next semester

Most people enter college not knowing anyone there, or if they do, it's only a handful of people they kinda knew in high school. Because of this, there's a lot of pressure to find new friends immediately. Freshmen latch on to the people they meet in their orientation group, the other people living on their hall, etc.. But as you settle in and meet more people, you might find that the people you attached yourself to in the first few weeks aren't your new BFFLs. And that's okay.

Of course, this isn't true all the time. I met two of my best friends in my first semester. But I also met a ton of people I only interact with when we awkwardly wave to each other on campus. In my experience and from what I've heard from others, the friends you make in your second semester of freshman year and beyond are the ones you'll end up keeping.

While we're on the subject of friends...

7. High school friendships don't always last

When you start college, you'll realize that you were only friends with some people because you saw them 5 days a week. It's difficult to keep in contact with people from your hometown when you go off to college. You might even find yourself not really wanting to keep in contact with some of the people you knew in high school that you swore were going to be your BFFs forever. Don't feel guilty over it. Communication is a two way street; if they aren't reaching out either, then they're probably feeling the same way.

8. Remember to take care of yourself

This last one may seem like a no-brainer, but it's harder than you think. There's no set time where you're forced to eat lunch like in high school and your parents aren't there at midnight to yell at you to turn your music off and go to sleep. You're wholly responsible for yourself for the first time. It's easy to forget about showering or eating when you're busy studying for a midterm.

Figure out which of your friends are free at the same times you are and make it a habit of going to breakfast/lunch/dinner with them.

It's unrealistic to expect college students to get 10 hours of sleep, but shoot for at least 6.

And if your roommate is starting to complain that you smell bad, PLEASE take a shower. Your entire campus will thank you for it.