1. If you're sick, go see a doctor.

I know you feel like you can just ride it out but honestly if it's strep or something you're going to wish you'd just gone. And with the dorms, you never know what sorts of diseases are floating around.

2. Not every relationship is going to last.

High school friendships, people you meet in class, roommates, and even some of the people you were closest to will take a back seat in your life, and it's okay.

3. Take out the trash before it becomes unmanageable.

It's far easier (and less embarrassing) to take one trash can downstairs, rather than having to make 3 elevator trips to get all your junk to the dumpster.

4. If you're up late and not getting anything done, just go to bed.

You're not going to remember anything you're studying after 2 am but those extra hours of sleep can do you a lot of good.

5. Make friends with your neighbors.

It's important to have people whose stuff you can borrow, who you can watch trashy tv with, and whose room you can crash in when you lock yourself out.

6. Staying in is okay.

You don't have to go out every night. If you want to stay home and watch Netflix, that's perfectly okay.

7. Get involved in things you actually care about.

Don't spread yourself too thin by trying to be involved in everything.

8. Be impulsive.

There's no better time to try new things and step outside of your comfort zone.

9. Go to class.

At Santa Clara, every class you miss costs you around $218, depending on how many units you're taking and how many times a week it meets. When you're skipping that class you're literally throwing hundreds of dollars out the window.

10. Take advantage of the resources that are available.

Most schools have free tutoring, free counseling, and a free gym, all included in your tuition costs. Take advantage also of office hours and librarians. They're great resources for all things academic.

11. Declutter before you have to pack everything up at the end of the year.

Take it from me: you're going to want to get rid of as much stuff as you possibly can.

12. Get to know your home away from home.

Explore the surrounding area: go on hikes, find the mall and the movie theater, and learn which areas to avoid.

13. Attend sporting events.

There's no better way to get into the school spirit.

14. Be nice to employees.

The people working in the dining hall, mowing the lawn, and cleaning the bathrooms are not there to serve you. Have some manners, engage in conversation, and be a kind person.

15. Read ALL the instructions.

The easiest way to make mistakes is to skim the directions and miss some key information. Avoid this by paying attention and making sure you're getting everything you're supposed to.

16. Share your location with your friends/roommate.

This is essential for crowded frat parties, concerts, or even to see if they're at home so they can let you in.

17. Steer clear of drama.

There are some people that thrive off of gossip and talking sh*t. They're not fun people to be around and they'll make your life way harder than it needs to be.

18. Don't ever buy your books from the bookstore.

Buy them secondhand from other students or from sites like AbeBooks to get a way better deal (if you end up even needing them at all).

19. Go to events.

There's always something going on, usually with fun activities and free food. Explore what's available and attend events on and off campus.

20. Buy groceries.

The dining hall gets really old really fast and it's nice to have some sandwich stuff and snacks stocked up in your fridge.

21. Set aside time for laundry.

You'll have to run the dryer at least twice to get everything dry so you should dedicate a few hours to getting laundry done (preferably in the middle of the night or on a weekday morning when no one else is trying to do theirs).

22. Savor every moment.

Freshman year goes by so fast while you're trying to keep your eyes open and experience it all. Savor every single moment and understand that the things you're experiencing this year are going to create lasting memories that you'll cherish for the rest of your life.