As a senior in high school, most students feel a sense of angst accompanying their excitement to finally leave their hometown and shape their own lives. Personally, I could not have been more thrilled. Sure, I sometimes was afraid of the unknown, but my excitement easily outweighed the fear. Throughout the good times and bad times (and believe me, there was good, bad and ugly), I was able to gather pertinent advice that I wish I had known when entering my freshman year of college.

1. Yes, you have more free time.

No, that does not mean you have any less work. In fact, you have more work...a lot more work. The good news it that you are in charge of budgeting your time! That may mean that one night you are going to kick back and watch Netflix instead of doing your homework due the next day, which is great as long as you get up early the next morning to make sure you get it done. Nobody is going to hold your hand through it, and better yet, nobody is going to tell you what to do. You are in charge of yourself now, so you have to be responsible and manage your time wisely.

2. You do not actually have to read required assigned readings.

This is either wonderful or tragic news. For me, it was a bit of both. As someone who enjoys solitude, I definitely did not mind eating meals by myself at times. The times when I did not like being alone were mostly at the beginning of the year. It can be difficult to be shy and not know the people around you while everybody else seems to have found their social circle. It is so important to step out of your comfort zone and approach other people. This is one of the best ways to make new friends! I promise that nobody will think oddly of you if you approach a group of people that you don't know. On the other hand, nobody will look at you twice if you do things by yourself. And it is important to remember that just about every other freshmen felt the exact same way, so be nice to one another!

4. Get involved!

This is one of the most important aspects of going to college! Not only are clubs, organizations, service events and sports a great way to build friendships, but they are also wonderful ways to keep busy and feel important. It is wonderful to look back at the end of the year and see all of your contributions to your school, as well all of the memories you have created. It is easy to go to your classes and then straight to your dorm room, but I wouldn't recommend it. I guarantee that there is at least one group at your school that will appeal to your individual interests. If there isn't, look into creating one!

5. GPA isn't everything, but it is important.

Admittedly, this is still one that both myself and my peers struggle with. A big part of the concern has to do with scholarships or grad schools, where you are often required to have a certain GPA. Grades are important, and it is crucial that you put forth your best effort (after all, you are paying to go to school). However, don't beat yourself up if you do try your best and you aren't doing as well as you would like. If I have learned anything this year, it is that every individual brings something unique to the table. Not everybody is able to achieve a 4.0 every semester, but it is so important to recognize your own talents and capabilities. Utilize them in whatever way you can! You would be amazed at how many doors it will open for you.

6. Know your major.

When I say this I do not mean that you must enter college knowing what your major is going to be (although it is okay if you choose to declare your major right away). Instead, know all of the information and requirements of your major before declaring. According to Dr. Fritz Grupe, founder of MyMajors.com, on average, fifty percent of college students change their major at least once.This is a good thing, as it means that fifty percent of college students learned enough about themselves to decide that their current major was not working, and a different one was a better fit. If you earn a diploma in the major that you originally went to college for, good for you! For the rest of us, keep an open mind and try new classes. One thing that would benefit all college students would be to keep a record of which courses you will need to complete in order to graduate, what your GPA should be, which experiences would be good resume builders, and whether additional schooling is required. All of these aspects are equally as important as what you are interested when it comes to earning a degree.

7. Don't forget to call home!

Your parents (or grandparents, aunt, uncle, significant other, high school friends, etc.) will be your biggest fans the whole way through. No matter how busy you are, always make time to remind them how important they are to you. You will never regret telling your loved ones how much you love and appreciate them. And as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder.

8. Learn as much as possible about yourself, your peers, and the world around you.

College is a time for growth and discovery. You are going to drastically change and grow through your time at your university. Make sure that you become the person that you want to be. Get involved in causes you are passionate about, surround yourself with individuals that inspire and encourage you and absorb as much as you possibly can! College can be overwhelming at times, but it is worth every penny.

I wish you every bit of luck and happiness in your first year of college. It truly is the best experience of a lifetime.