First, let me start by saying WELCOME TO JMU! You are in store for an amazing year. At this point, you've probably done plenty of reading online about freshman year and what to expect. You've looked through the JMU website many times and read everything you've been sent in the mail.

Even though you're probably already a pro, here's some last minute advice.

1. Enjoy FROG week.

I cannot stress this enough. You only get one FROG week, so enjoy it! Go to all of the activities that JMU has planned for you. Upperclassmen would kill to get to re-live the FROG week events. Even if people around you are going to parties off campus, stay and enjoy FROG week. You have 4 years to go to parties. You only have this week to party it up FROG style.

2. Get Amazon Prime

As a student, you get Amazon Prime free for 6 months. This means free shipping. In case you haven't heard, textbooks are extremely expensive. Buying/renting textbooks can save you a lot of money, especially with free shipping. In addition to textbooks, you can also get Christmas lights for you dorm room. Who doesn't love Christmas lights?

3. Invest in a quality mattress topper

You can't take on college without a proper night's rest. And the mattresses by themselves are not suited to give you that proper night's rest. Even if mattress toppers are pricey, invest in one. I recommend getting one that is not made from egg crate, but hey; any mattress topper is better than no mattress topper.

4. Leave your door open

Of course, this only applies when you are in your room and it's daytime. When you are just hanging out in your room, keep your door open! It's a great way to make friends. Even if it seems awkward at first, just know that everyone feels the same way. Most freshman don't know each other yet. So take the first step in making friends and keep your door open.

5. Explore!

JMU is a huge campus and is packed full of places to go and things to do! When you have time, grab a friend and explore! Take your mappy with you and go by all the dining halls. Check out buildings where your classes are and enjoy how beautiful the campus is.

Freshman year is an exciting time. For many, it's the first time living on their own. It's a time of new friends and new endeavors. Enjoy being a freshman while it lasts! I could probably write a list of 1,000 pieces of advice for freshman. But right now, you should focus on living in the moment, not on reading long lists full of advice telling you how your year should be.

Now get out there and enjoy JMU! Go dukes!!