To the fellow small town senior going to a large college, it’s going to be scary, and you’re probably going to call your parents frequently. If you want to get the most out of your new experience and beat the homesickness of small-town life, consider this advice:

1. Don’t be afraid to ask questions

You’re going to learn more about where your new home is by asking about it and trying to learn the new “normals” of the area. For instance, how to maneuver traffic or how to avoid the crazy religious guy in the quad that claims “Public education teaches how to give oral sex.” I started asking questions at my new school and as a result got to meet one of the few Holocaust survivors still living today.

2. Learn how to beat traffic and beware of bikes

We’ve never really had to deal with traffic. The closest thing to a traffic jam you may have experienced is elk, deer, or cow migrations across the highway. If you learn your new city, you will figure out the exact times you need to leave and what routes you need to take in order to make it where you need to be on time.

Also, bikes are an extremely popular form of transportation so be mindful of them because they tend to break the law a lot; even if they broke the law and you hit them, the driver tends to always be the one punished. You've been warned.

3. Have an open mind

You’re going to be exposed to A LOT of new things. You’re going to learn about gender vs. sex, cultural misappropriation, white privilege, rape culture, female/male equality, and worst of all you’re going to learn that a lot of what you may have learned in your small town growing up, are no longer true. One big shocker to me has been how much our government has historically lied and continues to spread propaganda.

You probably never even really thought much about these topics because you grew up in a town where everyone knew and respected everyone no matter their religion, ethnicity, sex, or gender. That is okay, just understand that you’re going to actually see all sorts of discrimination happen before your eyes the older you get and the more out there in the world you are.

I come from a very conservative area so I got exposed to a lot of new viewpoints and I made sure I listened to people I thought I’d disagree with, like Bernie Sanders. I ended up agreeing with him more than expected and in turn happened to volunteer for two of his rallies and got to meet his wife.

4. Welcome culture shock like an old friend

This goes along with #1 and #3; you’re going to get exposed to things you never thought about and it will be uncomfortable. Welcome it, and ask questions about it so you understand different perspectives and experiences. Also, don’t be derogatory towards someone just because you don’t understand something; be nice, it takes less energy.

This is a picture of an educational interactive statement being made on Colorado State’s campus about consent. Things like this are not uncommon and range from abortion and rape to healthcare and cultural issues.

5. Put yourself out there

While uncomfortable situations or topics will come your way, still step out of your comfort zone in the first few weeks of school or the semester/term to establish a good friendships and study groups! I’m not a social person but I joined a sorority, and but some of my closest friends/sorority sisters in my classes first.

6. Don’t ruin your GPA freshman year

Newfound freedom is exciting; who is going to stop you from drinking a gallon of sangria on a Wednesday night? Probably nobody except your liver and alcohol poisoning because you’re an adult.

Don’t make these decisions because it will start to take it’s toll on your grades, and mental and physical health. Come up with your own personal rules and stick to them. For instance, keep the partying to weekends, and get your homework and studying done first because you know you aren’t going to do it correctly drunk or hungover, if at all.

To be clear; I am NOT promoting underage drinking, but we all know it does happen so if you choose to partake be smart and safe. I personally prefer to camp/explore than party, so I found like-minded people.

7. Find people who are from your hometown or state

You don’t even have to be close friends with them; just make good enough connections that you have somebody to carpool home with for the holidays.

8. Enjoy your time

Your college experience is what you make it; if you’re not enjoying it, refer to #5 and try a new way of putting yourself out there. You’re going to be homesick even two years after moving to a new area, that is normal. Go to football games, do things you love even if you're alone; that is how you meet other people who love those things as well. Also, I find the busier and more active I keep myself, the less I dwell on missing home.