1. You actually have to study.
It isn't high school anymore. The tests in college are hard and you have to put the effort in to get good grades. Use your resources, go to the library, go to office hours and study.
2. Not everyone you meet right away will be your best friend.
Friendships take time. And with so many people in a new environment at once, it's hard to differentiate your future friends from your acquaintances. This is okay. The girl that you met the first week of school may not end up being your best friend like you initially thought, but there are so many other people out there to befriend. You'll find your real friends eventually.
3. Your parents can no longer hold your hand.
This means no cooking for you, no cleaning for you and no nagging you to do anything. Vacuuming, taking out the trash and any other daily chores are your full responsibility. You no longer have anyone to answer to anymore, either, so (try to) make good choices.
4. Don't procrastinate.
Procrastinating is never a good idea. Get what you need to get done as soon as you can. Whether it's academic, extracurricular or involving your social life, it is important to lessen the load of the things you have to do to help yourself in the upcoming weeks.
5. Get involved.
Join Greek life or a club or an honorary or a sport. Anything that makes your campus seem a little bit smaller is always a good idea. It'll help you make more friends and put yourself out there in a new and scary atmosphere.
6. Staying in sometimes is okay.
Staying in to study for an exam is more worthwhile than a few hours at a fraternity party. There are so many more parties – you'll make it to the next one and your GPA will thank you later. Try not to let FOMO get to you.
7. Sleep and caffeine are essential.
Sleep is a beautiful thing. Cherish it when you get to have a nice eight-hour night of sleep. Try to take naps whenever you can, even if they're less than a half hour. And when it's physically impossible to get sleep, go to your next best option – caffeine. You'll have a lot to get done during the day and it's okay to rely on a little bit of caffeine to help you accomplish that.
8. Stay in touch with your family and friends from home.
They love you, support you and would love to hear from you. It's important to try to make the effort to call your family and your friends. Whether it's long FaceTime sessions or quick calls between classes, it will make both of your days a little easier.
9. But it's not the end of the world if you lose contact with your high school friends.
People grow apart. It's hard to maintain the closest of relationships with every person you were friends with in high school when everyone is apart and working on the next chapter of their lives. Make an effort with the people who matter most to you and don't stress about what doesn't end up working out.
10. Your college will become your second home.
Yes, there's no place like home and the huge feeling of comfort you will get when walking through the front door of your house for the first time is undeniable. But college will become your second home. You will find yourself referring to it as home and anxiously waiting for the break to be over so you can go back. You only have four years here, so enjoy every moment.
