This is the moment you’ve been waiting for! You’ve finally reached the day that you’ve dreamed about and it couldn’t be any sweeter. This is probably your first real taste of freedom and adulthood. You’ve finished orientation for whichever college you chose to go to or at least have an orientation date in the near future. You’re obsessing over how to decorate your dorm and counting down the days until you move away from home. I know people are already drilling advice into your head, so I’ll keep mine short and simple. Here’s some tips I wish I had known before entering my freshman year of college:

1. Don’t over-pack.

I believed that I was going to want to cook and save money so I brought new pots and pans for school. You know what I did with those pots and pans? Absolutely nothing. If you’re not a heavy cooker before college, you probably won’t be during college. Pots and pans will just take up space that could be useful for many other things. Basically don’t pack or buy anything you normally don’t use yourself. Don’t pack clothes you normally don’t wear, shoes you don’t wear, etc. Dorms are small and space is limited.

2. Buy a planner!

I have never used a planner, had interest in using a planner, none of that. About a month into my fall semester, I found myself forgetting important dates for my classes. I would write them on a piece of paper or text myself what I needed, but I would often not look back over that paper or reread that text so it slipped my mind. I decided that getting a planner was the best thing I could do. I learned very quickly to love my planner. It was my lifeline and still is my lifeline. It especially helps when you’re heavily involved within school and the community because life can get hectic real quick.

3. Adventure. Try new things!

This is a new chapter in your life. Join a new club. Try new food. Try new routines. Never once did I imagine myself being in Greek life, but I took a chance and tried something new, and it ended up changing my life. You never know what might happen until you try it!

4. Let your mom do her mom thing.

Most likely she will cry when it comes to saying to goodbye at the end of the day. It’s your first official night out of the house and it’s always emotional for a parent seeing their kid grow up. Let your mom take that five-minute hug from you. Let her cry. It’s moments like this that she lives for, to know that the child she raised is going to do great things in life. It’s also okay if you start to cry, too. It’s an emotional time. Let your mom know you love her and that you will always be her baby.

5. Study first, play later.

Just a reminder that you are paying to go to school. Studying is not the most exciting thing in the world. You’re not with your friends doing fun things. Sometimes it can be depressing. But keep your eyes focused on the prize. The few hours you save during the week studying can lead to earlier playing on the weekends. Most of us will be guilty with it comes to picking play over study, but it’s important to remind yourself the right thing to do as often as possible. College is a lot different than high school and studying is key.

Overall, enjoyyour first year! Make this your year. Anything is truly possible, you have the whole world in your hands. These will definitely be the best years of your life!!