So you're starting your freshman year of college? Congratulations! You're well on your way to having the time of your life! I bet you thought this article was going to be about how "terrible" freshman year is.... Well, it's not! Your first year of college is much like life itself – it is what you make it! So why not make it fun? Of course there are going to be struggles and hardships, but that's to be expected! You have to first accept that your freshman year is going to be a giant puzzle. It's all about putting the pieces together, and finding your way.

Now, I think it's appropriate that we address the dreaded "first day of classes" since it's coming up fairly quick. You're probably thinking that it's like the transition from middle school to high school, but ten times worse. It may seem like a big deal in your head now, but as soon as you get that first class over with, the rest of them throughout the day and throughout syllabus week are essentially the same: walk in, find a seat, take out a notebook and pen, listen to your professor talk about the class, receive a syllabus, and boom, done. There's really not much to worry about. For the most part, when it comes to the academics of college, you will figure out how to present your best work just as you did with high school. The rest, however, is completely up to you.

Other than classes, during just your first week alone, you'll find that there is a rhythm to your daily routine. There's a point in the day when your dorm is quiet, making it a perfect opportunity to take a nap. There's a moment when all of the washing machines are open for you to stuff your dirty clothes in that you've been hoarding in your room for a few days. Basically, you'll figure out your own routine as you progress in the semester. I could probably go on and on talking about every aspect of college, but to keep this short, I'll just give you this piece of advice:

Truthfully, freshman year can be a bit of a rollercoaster at times, but one thing that you can do to make it a bit easier is to just get out there! Find a club that you're interested in. Try out for a club sport. Volunteer. Attend campus events. Get to know other students. You can even make your own club if that's what it takes! Getting involved in your campus community is one of the best decisions you can make. Not only will it help you lower stress levels and give you something to look forward to, it will also assist in the establishment of connections for networking later in life. You can't go wrong with getting involved. There are so many opportunities for you to make memories, make new friends, and have a chance to make your mark on the campus (maybe even the world). Like I said earlier, this year is what you make of it. So go and make it fun by joining others with similar interests as you.