As a second semester junior constantly, I reflect on the simplicity of freshman year –– a time that didn't include worrying about major courses, summer internships or graduate school. Most of us would love to repeat freshman year, when our biggest concern was whether we could wake up fifteen minutes before class and still get there on time. Despite all the ups and downs, I learned more than I could have expected from my first year of college. Some typical advice goes a long way, here goes:

1. Do get involved.

This is the cliché ‘get involved’ pitch schools try to sell you at orientation that everyone seems to ignore for the first couple of months. Do whatever makes you happy, whether that's pledging a fraternity, volunteering for Relay for Life, joining a knitting club or forming a club of your own.

2. Use your resources.

This one slightly is more academic. Don’t be afraid to talk to someone about your major or career path. A lot of students come into college undecided on their major and believe me, that’s normal. If you don't put some effort into researching prerequisites and exams, then come junior year, you may be forced to take summer classes to keep on track. In that, don’t be afraid to switch your major, attend office hours or seek further help.

3. Embrace new experiences.

Try everything once. I don’t mean taking any extreme measures that your parents wouldn’t approve of, but experience new restaurants and see the town. Attend homecoming or spring fling (not that we have those at Binghamton). Take chances you wouldn’t expect from yourself, you never know you just might enjoy what comes your way.

4. Do what you want on a Saturday night.

If you want to stay in, stay in. If you want to go out four nights a week, go out four night a week (although, I don’t recommend it). Don’t feel obligated to do the same as others. If you enjoy a night of Netflix rather than making your way downtown, do as you wish on a Saturday evening.

5. Pick your roommate wisely.

And I mean wisely. You can still be good friends with someone and not sleep in the same room as that person. Most won't be that offended. You do not have to room with your best friend since 6th grade or that person you met at orientation. You'll be stuck with this person for the next ten months –– don’t make this decision lightly.

6. Stay away from coffee as long as possible.

Your addiction to coffee will consume you. It will drain your wallet and quickly will become a necessity. If you attend college and don’t feel like you need to have caffeine twice a day then I applaud you.

7. Dress warmly on nights out.

Wear your sweaters and your jackets on a night out. In the dead of winter, looking "cute" without sleeves is not worth being sick the rest of the week. That typical text, “are you dressing cute or warm?” shouldn’t even be a question. Ladies, you don’t need to wear those five-inch heels every Saturday night and regret it every Sunday morning. This may strengthen your calves, but it might not be worth the time. Don’t dress to impress anyone but yourself.

8. Befriend that person with a car.

In this case, scratch everything about friendship and hang on to the friend who will drive you to the gym. OK, don't use them for their car, but always take your friend's rides when offered to you. Nobody likes paying for cabs.

9. Don’t ignore the freshman fifteen.

Don’t deny the existence of the freshman fifteen –– just don’t embrace it. There’s prepared food whenever you want and most will take advantage of that luxury. We all love not having to cook, but the endless food on demand will catch up to you faster than you think, and that's not just a myth.

10. Don't let anyone deter you from your major/be set on a major

Unless you’re one of those people who has known your career path for years, then don’t be set on a major in your freshman year. However, once you decide for yourself, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

11. Don't take general education (gen-eds) requirements lightly.

Don’t think every gen-ed is an easy A. If you’re not interested in PLSC 100 or ECON 101, don’t expect the highest grade. Usually the classes that are not related to your major are the most difficult.

12. Don't feel obligated to be best friends with your roommate.

You don’t have be friends with your roommates or suitemates. You are not forced to be best friends with anyone just because you’re living in close quarters. Luckily, my freshman year roommate still is one of my closest friends. The people on my floor were such great individuals. This is not the case for everyone and you will make friends outside of your dorm.

13. Don't trust everyone you meet.

This one sounds cynical but it's more realistic than not. Don't go to a party where there are people you don't know and believe they have your best interest at heart. That guy you met downtown and have known for five minutes shouldn't hold all your trust. Be aware of your surroundings. That's not to say there aren't genuinely good people, because there are countless, but you don't know that they're wonderful people within the first five seconds of a conversation.

14. Don’t let people take advantage of your schoolwork.

If you put in hours studying, don't let someone walk all over you. Don't say yes to be nice –– in any circumstance. It's OK to be slightly selfish once in a while. It's not being rude not to go somewhere with someone because you have to study for your upcoming exam. You don't have to accommodate everyone all the time. It's OK. Others will understand.

15. Don't act like you’re in high school.

In this, every college freshman needs to remember that he is a freshman again. Seniors in high school believe they have some sort of unspoken power. You are not in high school anymore. Hierarchy does not exist. You are new to the school. You don’t know anyone. Move past your cliques and gossip. Stop preoccupying yourself with other people’s lives and believing everything you hear from one another. Unfortunately, even some adults have not grasped the concept that talking about someone is a waste of time. Generally something that may have happened is not the whole world’s business –– nor should it be.

16. Don't let freshman year define you.

We all make mistakes, and we all have our accomplishments. Your friends will change, and you will make new ones each year. Always remember that one year doesn’t define anyone.

Whether you’re a second-semester senior or a transfer freshman student, this advice holds the same truth. There’s always time to make your own choices regarding your college experience. Try not to have any obligations to anyone but yourself. Everything will figure itself out in time. Thus, even the do’s and don’ts may not be a guideline for everyone’s freshman year but at least, this can be a start. Freshman year is just the beginning.