1. Go To Everything
Yes, including all those tacky crazy welcome events, just go. Grab your roomie and get there. You never know who you might meet, or what you might learn.
2. Don’t Cling To Your High School Friends
They are amazing and have been there with you through it all, and they will continue to be, but there are so many new amazing people out there you haven't even met. Get out there and meet them.
3. Get Involved In Your Major
These are the people you will need to call throughout your life for all sorts of things. So get involved, join an organization in your major, have study groups with your classmates. It will make a difference in the long run. Also if you're doubting your major don't be afraid to explore something else, and maybe even change it a few times if you need too.
4. Talk To Your Professors
They’re actually pretty cool people once you get to know them. Make sure they know who you are. When it comes to the end of the semester and you've got an 89.4% if they know your name, and you’ve made an effort to know them, they're more than likely going to give you the 90%.
5. Go To Class
No matter what. Even if you're strutting around in your pajamas and mismatched shoes, or even if you're making your way to class in last night’s clothes. Your education is what's most important and that's what you're there for. Get up and go.
6. STUDY
College is hard. The "college classes" you took in high school don't even begin to compare to the real thing. As hard as it is not to do, don't procrastinate you will hate yourself for it when you’re pulling all nighters to cram for a test, finish a project, or to get a paper done.
7. Don’t Be Afraid To Go Home
It's an amazing feeling to be on your own for the first time, but it's not as easy and as freeing as your thought. You will be sad and homesick at times, and I promise you will miss the little things of being home, but it will get easier!
8. Don't Be Afraid To Eat Alone
Yes I know terrifying, this was one of my biggest fears at first. By the end of the year you look around and everyone's doing it, college is really nothing like the judgmental high school drama we all went through.
9. If You’re Considering Rushing, Do It
It's nothing like you think it is, it's so much more. You learn so many things and have so many opportunities you never even would have thought of. You will have an endless support system and someone who can relate to nearly anything you’re going through. I also can only hope you’ll be as lucky as me to get the most perfect big and little.
10. If You’re Struggling In Something, Get Help
Don't wait until finals week, ask for help and work hard. Get a tutor, ask a frend, vistit the teacher during their office hours. It will pay off I promise.
11. Keep In Touch With Old Friends
Everyone's life get crazy and hectic, you guys may not talk everyday, you may not talk for months but I promise when you do it will be like no time passed.
12. Don’t Be Afraid To Let Go Of Those Who Hold You Back
Not everyone will do as well as you, and be as successful as you. That's okay, but if they're holding you back and pulling you away from your dreams, don't be afraid to distance yourself. In the end it will be for the better and you will thank yourself.
13. You Will Change, Accept It. Don’t Fight It
You will probably change a lot, and for the better. I can't tell you what exactly it is or why, but college changes you more than you will ever realize. It makes you not only grow up but grow a lot as a person, don't fight it, just let it happen..
14. That High School Boyfriend Is Holding You Back, Let Him Go
I promise you will be okay and that it will be for the better. Everything happens for a reason and there's so much more to come in life. You're only 18 go find yourself and be happy. You have so much more life ahead of you, and so many new people to meet.
15. The Freshman 15 Is Real
Those unlimited swipes at the dining hall are great right? Wrong. Get some friends and go to the rec. plus you'll get to see the hot guys working out. Oh and yes, always order that late night pizza, but do your sit ups and lunges while it's being delivered.
16. BE YOU
Who ever it is. Be yourself, don’t be afraid to stand up for what you believe in or what you know is right. There is a difference in changing as a person, and changing your values and morals. Be yourself and discover what's out there, but at the end of the day, always go with your gut instinct, because it is still typically always right.
17. Live it up
This is the beginning of the best four years of your life. Put yourself out there, meet new people, don’t hold back, take risk, and take lots of pictures to capture the moments you’ll never want to forget.
