All these Facebook posts from the young ’uns who are excited to start college are making me think about all the things I wish someone had told me before I began my freshman year. I mean, everyone has heard about the ridiculous price of textbooks, the freshman 15, and roommate horror stories. This kind of advice is readily passed on, but there are plenty of things that nobody talks about -- things that are just as important, if not more, and that college freshmen are left to struggle with on their own.

It’s OK to withdraw from a class.

Every year, there are students who struggle through their first semester and become so disheartened because they were such great students in high school, and now they’re not living up to their own expectations. If that applies to you, don’t worry; there’s nothing wrong with you if it takes you some time to get used to college courses. You have to get a feel for the kinds of exams your professors like to give, how to take notes that work for you, figure out whether or not study groups are helpful, etc. There are student tutoring opportunities that can help you navigate this process, but the most important thing to remember is that it’s not the end of the world if your grades aren’t what you thought they’d be or if you have to withdraw from a class. Withdrawing is not admitting failure -- it’s doing what’s best for you. Make sure you know your school’s policy on withdrawals. There’s a policy for a reason -- plenty of students have withdrawn from a class or two. You can always try it again.

Make sure you know how to stay safe.

I don’t mean just the girls when it comes to the Red Zone, although that advice is just as important! The Red Zone is the period of time between the beginning of the semester and November during which sexual assaults are most frequent, especially for first-year female students. Always use the buddy system, know your limits, be careful, watch out for each other -- and be familiar with your school’s policy on sexual misconduct! What I mean is that everyone, regardless of gender or any other demographic factor, should know how to stay safe.

• Colleges usually have notification systems if crimes are reported in the surrounding area -- pay attention to those.
• Know what your drinking limit is. Binge drinking is very common, but it can go very wrong very fast. Count your drinks.
• Never drink on an empty stomach.
• If you put your drink down or didn’t see the drink poured or opened, get a new drink.
• If you see that someone is incapacitated, unconscious, vomiting, etc., call for help. Better safe than sorry, and your school may have an amnesty policy for alcohol, so getting help for a friend won’t get them in trouble.
• Don’t leave an incapacitated person alone and don’t let them sleep or lay face up (they may aspirate). There’s no trick that makes anyone sober up faster --only time can do that. Just stay hydrated and get help if you need it. Campus security isn’t always out to get you; their job is to keep you safe.

You don't have to join 5,000 clubs to be successful.

It took me a while to figure this one out. Joining clubs is a great way to find like-minded people and find hobbies or projects you enjoy. It definitely enhances your experience. However, it’s better to find one club that you’re truly invested in and within which you can engage in leadership opportunities. If you join 10 clubs and spread yourself too thin, you have minimal opportunities for leadership because you already overcommitted yourself, and you won’t enjoy the activities you’re participating in.

There are also plenty of other extracurricular opportunities besides clubs, such as internships, community volunteering, or jobs, that can do you just as much good. Stick to a few things you really enjoy and use that to develop yourself, personally or academically.

“Everybody’s doing it” may seem like a good reason to join in, but it’s not true.

You don’t have participate in binge drinking or hook-up culture because you think it’s expected or necessary in order to fit in. Nobody is more concerned with what you do or don’t do than you are. It may seem like “everybody’s doing it,” but look up the stats and you’ll see that’s just not true. If it really makes you uncomfortable to be the “only one” not drinking at a party, just walk around with a red cup. Nobody is going to check what’s in it.

The same goes for hook-up culture. If that’s your thing, go for it. Have fun. Be free. Do you. But if it’s not your thing, that’s cool, too. College is a great time to figure out what you like, what you want, who you want to be -- don’t waste your time doing things that don’t make you happy.

Use your campus resources to your advantage.

Use your career center! Many schools have an online database of internship opportunities or jobs that are available on campus. Your school may also have a career center where you can go for help putting together your resume, practicing interview skills, or planning for grad school. Take advantage! It can be very helpful. There are also other resources, like student tutoring, that you can use to help make your college experience go more smoothly.

Everyone hits a bump in the road, at some point; that’s why there are resources available to help you move forward. Counseling services can help you learn to deal with stress and anxiety. Student tutoring or similar groups can help you develop your writing skills or study habits. Professors’ office hours are incredibly helpful if you have questions or need a refresher. Don’t be intimidated. These resources are designed to benefit you and there’s nothing wrong with asking for help.

There are plenty of things you'll have to figure out along the way, but hopefully this little list gives you a bit of a head start!