We all know that the first semester of college is the hardest. Here are some helpful tips so you might survive better than I did.

1. DO NOT bring your entire family to move you in!

A bunch of people in a tiny dorm room? You will have to PIVOT! around everything.

2. Come prepared to be focused. Your first semester should be about establishing yourself academically and getting acclimated to college, not partying every night and failing three out of five of your classes.

Me when I knew I was supposed to be studying.

3. Take care of yourself! Germs spread among college students so quickly in the dorms. The better you take care of yourself, the less class you will miss.

4. STUDY. College is not like high school. Good grades come to those who put the work in.

5. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Your school has programs to help you succeed. Take advantage of them!

6. Call your Mom! She misses you. You may think nothing of it, but those little phone calls mean the world to her. Ignore the constant bantering about whether or not you went out drinking or if you have a new boyfriend. She just wants to try to keep up with your life.