Be yourself.
Everyone was a freshman once and they can all relate to the pressure to fit in and be liked. However, there is just as much pressure to stand out from the crowd, but just enough, so that you don’t seem like a try hard. No one cares how many shots you can drink. Trying to find a balance between these two is both impossible and exhausting and will likely just add to the stress that comes with being a college student. Just be yourself. Don’t be something you aren’t to try to please others.
Take chances.
There’s nothing worse than looking back on your experiences and wishing you could had said 'hi' to that cute girl in class, or joined that club or fraternity. Once the chance has passed, it may never present itself again. The regrets and 'what ifs' are what keep people awake at night.
Go to class.
This is a given but you may find it’s one of the hardest rules to follow when your alarm is going off for your 8 a.m. chemistry class, and you had decided to stay out until 3:30 a.m. the night before. You better hope you have some friends in that class and that your professor doesn't take attendance.
Fraternities and Sororities are not just social drinking clubs.
Contrary to what your mom and the movies say, fraternities and sororities actually contribute something to the university other than partying. I almost shrugged off that kid in boat shoes and a brotank when I first got to school. Luckily, I quickly found out not every fraternity guy is a pre-workout-filled party animal, and not every sorority girl is a Lilly-Pulitzer-wearing prude who maxes out daddy’s credit card each weekend. They raise thousands of dollars for charities, push you to get better grades, and teach you what it means to be a part of (and eventually lead) an organization. I almost missed out on one of the best experiences of my life thus far.
Talk to your parents.
With all the newfound independence and the busy schedule typical of most college students, it’s easy to forget about your parents back home across the state. You know, those two adults who’ve raised you for the last 18 years and are putting themselves into debt so that you can get a piece of paper saying you’re qualified to work in an office someday. Call them at least once a week or a few times a month, and not just when you’re out of money. Amidst all the fun I’m sure you’ll be having, they’ll be at home wondering how your week went. Talking to them regularly will make everyone’s lives easier, and even visiting home a couple of times each year will do you some good.
Watch what you eat.
The Freshman Fifteen is a very real thing. While I was blessed and somehow avoided the inevitable weight gain caused by dining hall food and pizza at 3 a.m., not everyone is so lucky. Try getting a salad a few times a week or cooking with your friends instead of mac and cheese for the seventh day in a row. The gym is also your friend, and most universities offer it free with your tuition.
