Although the summer just began and you're enjoying graduation parties and pool time, the best year of your life is quickly approaching no doubt. At this point, you've selected a college, and are preparing to say goodbye to your family and friends and move on to the next chapter of your life. You get to take charge, be independent, and experience more freedom then you ever have before.

The year ahead of you is going to be filled with ups and downs, and you will meet people that will experience both with you. The number one person that will be there for you is your roommate. Select a roommate carefully, and be open to whatever the relationship with your roommate ends up being. In the beginning, you'll have each other to venture out and make more friends, and you'll never be more thankful for her then those first couple awkward days. You take on college together, and will need each other throughout the year. Be respectful of each other's space and communicate well and you will have a life long friend most definitely.

You will meet people in the first few days, and expect them to be "your group" for the next four years. Don't get stuck in this mindset, and just talk and hangout with as many people as possible. Your friends may change throughout your first year, and will definitely change throughout the next four years and that is completely normal. You'll have the opportunity to meet people in your classes, in extra-curricular activities and all around campus, so branch out as much as possible. During the first year, people are finding out who they are, and who they want to be, so find friends that are along for that ride with you.

In the beginning, you will constantly be asked what you're majoring in, and be expected to have a set plan for the next four years. It is absolutely okay to be undecided, but if you have a degree in mind even better. As you take classes and meet people, your degree path might become even more in set, or change completely. You have plenty of time to figure out what you want to do, and an advisor that will be more than helpful in deciding your academic decisions.

Finally, be open and honest with yourself throughout the entire year. This is your chance to entirely be yourself, and find out who you want to be. You get to do practically whatever you want, and that freedom is something you will hold on to. Explore activities and classes you never thought you would be interested in, or make friendships with people you might not have ever expected. The year ahead of you is set to have many ups and downs, but will be a great one no matter what.