Congratulations! You've successfully graduated from high school and are about to start your freshmen year of college. College is all about furthering your education and meeting people who you are going to spend the rest of your life with. This is the time you learn to become an adult and be more independent. These next four years of your life might be the most exciting yet the most stressful, so be ready.

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Want my tips for making your freshman year (and the rest of your college life) a total breeze? Scroll down for my tried and true tips:

BE SOCIAL

1. Join clubs: This is the point of your life where you're going to meet a lot of people so take advantage of it. Joining clubs on campus is going to help you meet these people. Join a club that helps you learn more about the career you want. At your college campus there might be a club fair that helps you decide what you might be interested in. Hundreds of clubs are offered and if what you want isn't available you can make your own club.

2. Get to know your roommate(s): The best way to make more friends is by having a random roommate. Yes, it does sound scary to live with a complete stranger, but this stranger could become your best friend for the rest of your life. Developing a strong relationship with your roommate is crucial if you want the year to go well.

3. Go Greek: The Greek community may not be for everybody, but having 50 to 100 more friends could help you out tremendously in your first year of college. When choosing this route make sure the house fits your personality and they are the people you want to be around. Many great opportunities come from being a part of the Greek community.

4. Leave your dorm room door open: Doing this means you are open to meeting new people who may live on your floor or just walk by. Trust me they will stop to say hello or to see if you'd like to have dinner.

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Class Work

1. Pick classes that interest you: Only pick classes that interest you or that may be required for your degree program. If you're not interested your work, it will show in your grade. Trust me.

2. Don't skip class: If you're like me, it's a bad habit you picked up in high school. Though it may be tempting and a whole lot easier to skip class, don't! Missing one class is like missing a whole chapter and then you have to catch back up on your own. It makes life a lot easier when you show up for class.

3. Try not to procrastinate: Procrastination is the worst trait to pick up. Do all assignments as soon as possible and start studying for exams weeks in advance. Some people get away with doing things at the last-minute, but stress comes along with that.

4. Pay attention: Take really good notes and make sure you understand them. Copying straight from a PowerPoint presentation won't do you much good when it comes to test time. You need to know your stuff.

5. Get organized: This is a life tip you'll need in every aspect of your life. Do what you have to do: buy a planner, have alerts set up daily––it makes your life a lot easier when you know what you have to do and on what day. Deadlines are everything in college (and life) so if you miss it you're sh*t out of luck.

6. Get to know your professors: At some high schools we were taught that are professors wouldn't always be available. Well guess what? THEY ARE! Schedule a time to talk them after class so you put yourself on their radar and can ask questions about anything you don't completely understand.

7. Get a tutor: If your professor isn't available get a tutor as soon as possible. Some campuses have free tutoring for freshmen and some may have a small fee.

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Avoiding the Freshman 15

1. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise: I'm telling you that the freshmen 15 is a real thing (trust me). If you can eat whatever you want and not gain a pound think again because your body is still changing. Put the gym into your schedule and go workout. Some campuses even have two gyms to make it more convenient for students. Gym not your thing? Go for long runs with your new college friends or hit up an off-campus yoga studio.

2. Eat right: The dining halls have healthy food and not so healthy food, so watch what you eat. When stress is high it's tempting to chow down on chips and chocolate, but those treats which are high in sodium and sugar will leave you feeling much much worse. Pack healthy snacks like carrots and hummus or low-sugar/ high fiber granola bars for those long study sessions.

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Finances

1. Start Saving: Saving is something you will need to learn to do throughout your entire life. Learn to put parts of your paycheck into your savings account. If you're taking out loans to pay for school you will have to eventually pay them back so start saving now!

2. Get an on campus job: Finding a job on campus is super easy. The most popular job would be working in the dining halls. I know you might not want to, but this is a really easy way to make your money. An off campus job is another option, but traveling back and forth can get pricey with paying for gas or be exhausting if you ride the bus.

3. Talk with parents about paying university bill: Some students may not have all of college paid for and may see an outstanding balance left on their U-Bill. Talk with your parents to see how you plan on getting this paid or contact financial aid. Having to worry about paying for college is stressful so have a plan to make things work out.

Dealing With Homesickness

1. Arrange a time to FaceTime or call home: All college students have dealt with homesickness at some point. Plan a time during the week to talk with your family members via FaceTime, Skype, or phone call.

2. Stay on campus for the weekend: Stay on campus as much as possible. Going home every weekend will only interfere with what you have going on at school. This is the time to meet new people

3. Ask parents for care packages: Care packages are a gift from god, seriously. Ask if your parents can send them for you. They make your time at school more enjoyable and you know your parents are still thinking about you.

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Miscellaneous

1. Avoid bringing a car: Throughout most college campuses there is a local bus that runs all day long. Take advantage of it instead of bringing a car to campus. Yes, cars could be useful when you have somewhere to go quickly, but the bus can get you there for free!

2. Drinking: Its college, I know you're going to drink so be responsible about it. People know who the freshmen are because they stick out like a sore thumb. When you're really intoxicated and bouncing off the walls the upperclassmen can tell. IT'S NOT CUTE!

3. Laundry: Nothing is more annoying than waiting on someone to take out their laundry. Keep track of when your clothes will be done so others may use the washers and dryers.

4. Be responsible: Out of this whole survival guide this would the most important. Be responsible, please. You have more freedom now so use it wisely. Become the responsible adult you should be.