Okay freshman, listen up! In just a few weeks now, you are going to begin the most amazing four years of your life. Are you scared? Probably. Are you excited? Definitely. Let me just explain to you though, I would give ANYTHING to be back in your shoes. Freshman year is the year to make drunken mistakes, eat pizza at 2:00 a.m. every night and the time to create the rest of your life. 

While beginning college is without a doubt a huge change from living at home with your family and going through eight horrific periods of high school everyday, it is the four best years of your life and I will not allow you to waste them. With that being said, here are six pieces of advice for beginning college:

1. Under no circumstances is an 8:00 a.m. class ever a good idea. When making my schedule for freshman year, I was the idiot who said, "I'll just give myself 8:00 a.m. classes everyday so I can be done with class early and go to the pool!" My reasoning behind it was, "I did it in high school so I can do it now!" WRONG. When your sorority sisters convince you that it's a good idea to partake in Wine Wednesday or Thirsty Thursday and you're the only one of your friends saying, "I don't know if I can go out, I have an early class," you will be slapping yourself in the face. Ultimately when it comes down to having extreme FOMO (fear of missing out) which is a very real thing, or going out and missing your class the next morning, you will end up missing the 8:00 a.m. class nine out of ten times.      

2. The freshman 15 is a VERY real thing. The freshman 15 is pretty universally known and while everyone talks about it, no one believes that it can happen to them. Let me inform you that it 100% can happen and will to you. If you believe it won't...it probably already has. I am, in no way, telling you not to indulge in the drunken late night pizza or Highland breakfast burrito (the ultimate reason for my demise), all I'm saying is after you enjoy that delicious cheesy crust and sleep it off, hit the gym in the morning or even go hiking (one perk of living in Arizona). Don't become one of those people who denies that the freshman 15 is real; believe me, it is inevitable unless taken care of.     

3. Rallying is a must. Two of the best things about Arizona are the pool parties and the tailgates. However, regardless of the fact that you've been up, in the sun, and drinking since 10:00 a.m., you are expected (almost required) to still go out that night. With that being said, don't make excuses to yourself (common excuses listed below): 

1. I woke up early and am in dire need of a nap.

2. Netflix just sounds like so much more fun.  

3. I'm warm and hungry.

4. I'm honestly just too lazy to go out again.  

Instead, make sure to stay hydrated all day, give yourself a few hours between events to nap (this may be the most important part), and be sure to eat a carb-loaded meal. When you look back on your college experience, you are going to remember the nights you rallied, not the nights you stayed in watching Orange is the New Black on Netflix.     

4. Go through recruitment, no matter what. For some people, recruitment is one of the most intimidating aspects of college. While this may be true, I can honestly say that I would have transferred had it not been for my sorority. Sororities and fraternities aren't for everyone, and while they may not be for you, you won't really know until you try. Through recruitment, you meet so many amazing people and even if you ultimately decide it isn't for you, you will make so many great friends along the way that it's completely worth it. It's a great way to socialize and if you end up sticking it out, you will end up finding your best friends and your future bridesmaids (so cliché but so true).  
   

5. Actually go to your classes. I will openly admit that I was the girl who didn't go to her classes freshman year. I just thought to myself, "well my parents can't force me... and attendance isn't mandatory, so why waste my time?" I also ended up being the girl who had to study five times longer than anyone else for my tests and who ended up suffering in the end. While your parents may not be there to force you to go to class, they are paying your tuition for one reason, and one reason only: for you to get an education. Take it from me, if that isn't fulfilled they will not be happy campers.       

6. Make the most of Tucson. Out of all of the pieces of advice, I believe that this one is, by far the most important. We go to school in Arizona, a BEAUTIFUL (kind of ratchet) state full of things to do, so make the most of it! Go to the pool and make all your friends back home jealous of the heat. Take road trips down to Scottsdale and go do fun touristy things. Enjoy the great outdoors and go hiking, sled on Mount Lemon in the wintertime, or go to a UA baseball game. You only have four years of college, assuming you're graduating on time, so make the most of those four years; before you know it they'll be over and all of this will be a distant memory.