The beginning of a new school year is right around the corner! As time creeps closer for us to go back, there's always certain worries on our mind. If you're an incoming freshman, have no fear! Here's a few tips that are bound to help you navigate your first year smoothly:

1. Dorms and Roommates

Don't worry about who your roommate might be. Yes, you may or may not get a nightmare roommate or suitemates, but if push comes to shove, kill em with kindness! And if it really gets tough, you're always able to switch rooms!

As for your dorm, have fun decorating your dorm and making it your home away from home. It'll help you adjust into the college life and you'll always have a cozy little place to go after class.

2. Classes and Books

This is college now. No more high school classes where you show up everyday and have to ask to go to the bathroom. With college classes comes HUGE responsibilities. You don't have a regular 8am - 3pm school day. Your classes may not meet every day. You can leave whenever you want, but that doesn't mean you should! It's up to you now to show up to your classes and do your work.

And with classes, come the books. They're expensive, but there are tricks to getting cheap books. Checkout the textbook rental sites! They rent books to you for super cheap and make your $500 cost for books simmer down to about $150.

3. Making Friends

Even if you already have friends that are going to the same college as you, don't be afraid to span out and make new friends! Personally, as someone who was comfortable enough having two friends with her on campus, getting out and socializing was actually really helpful in finding awesome people!

So, join a club or two, attend school events, make all the friends in the world, and don't worry if you don't find friends immediately. Sometimes, good friendships take a while!

4. Parties and Partners

The tips are simple when partying: Make sure you know the person you're going to the party with, always keep a friend with you, don't accept strange drinks from strangers. DO NOT accidentally drink nearly a full bottle of vodka because you figured that the juice was a majority of the deliciously fruity drink. Always be in contact with someone and tell them where you're going. Parties can be fun, but you also need to have precaution when going out.

Along the same lines, always be careful if you're meeting a date from an online site. Don't worry if you don't find the "love of your life" your first year, or if at all during college. Friendships come first! Also, be with someone who respects you. Don't be afraid to get yourself out there, and have a little fun!

5. Be Active to Beat the Blues

During college, you may find yourself a little more down than usual. It's a new space, a new area, new people and it can be nerve-wracking. Don't be surprised if you get a little blue during your stay. It's normal!

The best way to fight it is to be active! Now as someone who was never a fan of high school gym and promised she wouldn't ever really work out, I actually advise it! During my first semester I was hit with the "First-Year Blues" and "Seasonal Depression." I went to the gym and ran on the treadmill for 30min and then just felt out the different machines at my disposal. After that and a nice shower, I felt ten times better and was actually way more productive!

6. Finally, just have fun!

Find your balance of fun and school, and work on creating a healthy environment for yourself. Try out different things or different studying techniques. Try something you've never done before. Make friends you never thought you would have made. And just relax, because everyone has been a freshman before, and it's totally normal to get lost on campus or really really sad during your first year. And it's okay! It's all the experience.