As the first week of classes draw to a close, I find myself reflecting on how different things are this time around. This time last year, I was a scared freshman. I was still new to the college experience and almost every decision I made was full of hesitation. It took a while for me to get comfortable but I’m glad to say that I now consider this place a second home. I believe everyone deserves to feel this way about their school, so I decided to write an article with some words of advice for brand new college students.

My first piece of advice is this: don’t let schoolwork get the best of you. I won’t lie to you all, college is hard. The classes are more challenging, the homework is more extensive, and the expectations are much higher. You are probably going to experience more stress than you ever have before and there will definitely be times where you feel as if you’re drowning. To avoid a full mental breakdown, you have to learn to tell yourself that your GPA is not the most important thing in your life.

I’m not saying that you should blow off your classes and be indifferent when it comes to your grades. I think everyone should absolutely try their hardest when it comes to school, making sure to put in a good effort at all times. After all, you’re paying for this education; it’d be a shame to waste it. However, I don’t think one should be so consumed with the idea of getting a 4.0 that they feel too suffocated to enjoy any other aspect of college life. College is supposed to be fun, too.

This brings me to my second piece of advice: be open-minded. College is all about new experiences, whether it be joining a club you normally wouldn’t, talking to someone you’ve never met before, or taking a class that has nothing to do with your intended major. Some of my fondest memories from my first year were the result of these “why not” experiences.

For example, I decided to sign up for a modern dance class during Fall Semester. I had no idea what to expect from the class but I definitely didn’t expect to enjoy it as thoroughly as I did. I absolutely fell in love with all of my classmates and I had so much fun dancing with them that I signed up for another dance class in Spring Semester. I even participated in the Spring Recital! Had I not been open-minded, I never would have signed up for the class and I never would have made the wonderful memories, or friends, that I did. Trust me, I know that taking chances can be scary. But more often than not, these chances produce incredible results.

And finally my last piece of advice: try to make friends wherever you go. One of the most amazing things about college is the wide variety of people that you have at your disposal. Here you are on campus, surrounded by people from all over the globe. There are so many interesting, hilarious, and all-around fantastic people that you have the opportunity to meet, and you should do your best to meet as many as you can. There will be people that you are closer with than others, but that doesn’t mean that you should stop there. I encourage you to make friends in your classes, your clubs, your residence halls, and anywhere else you can think of. This provides you with a safety net when it comes to things such as finding a friendly face to walk across campus with or eat in the dining hall with.

The more acquaintances you have, the more comfortable you’ll be on campus. And if you’re lucky like I was, you’ll find those select few who have similar souls to yours, and you’ll feel as if you’ve known your whole life. I know for a fact that if it weren’t for my friends, I would never have been able to feel as at home here as I do now.

Once I got over my first-year jitters, I absolutely loved my first year of college. I learned so much each day, both in and out of the classroom, and I made incredible friends that I know I will cherish forever. I sincerely hope that all you first years grow to enjoy your college experience as much as I do, and I truly hope that my advice can provide you all with even the smallest bit of comfort.

Take it from me, it only gets better from here.