To freshmen everywhere,

First, welcome to college. You've experienced at least a few classes and you're experiencing (probably) more freedom than ever before. There have probably been a few times that you were wondering what to do in certain situations and were wanting to call your parents for advice.

In order to thrive during your freshman year, there are a lot of things that a student must do. Here are just a few things that, if followed, could make your freshman year the greatest.

Develop good study habits and study often.

I know this isn't the coolest thing to do, but grades really do matter. A lot of people think that once they're in college, they don't have to do much to stay there. On the contrary, you actually must maintain a certain GPA to stay on good terms with the university you attend. If you fall below their standards, a lot of things could happen (like not being able to come back to your beloved campus). So do yourself (and your parents) a favor and hit the books, even when you'd much rather be binge watching Netflix.

Exercise.

A lot of people think that walking to class is enough exercise for them because it's more walking than they did in high school. Most times, this is true (especially at a school like mine). However, you're also eating a lot more than when you were at home. My parents always told me to eat whenever I was hungry, but I also didn't have access to pizza for every meal or a Cookout that was walking distance from my dorm. Go ahead and visit the rec center. You'll get fit and maybe even make some new friends, all while beating the freshman 15 we all loathe.

Eat well.

Your university probably has multiple eating locations and each of those locations has numerous healthy options. I wasn't big on eating veggies and salads before coming to college, but it's quickly become one of my favorite things. Go ahead and treat yourself to that slice of pizza or that huge burger, but remember what your parents taught you with healthy eating habits.

Get some sleep.

I know some people seem to think that they're superheroes and that sleep is for the weak. However, sleep is actually really important for a college student. Coming from someone who has 8 a.m. classes, I need my sleep. Sleep is not for the weak, it's for the wise. Sleeping also helps with memorization, so make sure to get some sleep before all of those exams you'll be taking!

Get involved.

I've met some people in college that don't like where they are because they didn't get involved in anything. Just get out there and meet some new people. Go Greek, become a tour guide, do intramural sports. Anything to get involved and become immersed in your campus community. Getting involved on campus not only expands your friend circle but also allows you to network -- and in case you didn't know, you want to network, now.

Don't go home too often.

Going home to visit the parents is nice and all, but think about the time you'll be away from school. If you're involved and getting good grades, you probably want to stay at school on the weekends. Your parents will miss you a lot and first, but they'll get used to having the house to themselves (or at least having one less child in the house). Once you've been away long enough, the burning desire to go home fizzles out. Try to go home once a month, but not much more than that -- and be sure to enjoy the food while you're there.

Being a freshman can be difficult. There are a lot of things that are expected of you and you have so much responsibility and freedom at the same time. It's a confusing place but following those guidelines can make it a lot easier!