1. Be true to yourself

I went in to my first year of college with my eyes WIDE. Coming in with this newfound freedom allowed me to get into anything I laid eyes on. I got so lost in everything though that I forgot the person I was coming in. It reached a point where I didn’t feel comfortable with my freshman self. In college, you encounter so many different personalities, perspectives and values that you can mistake someone else’s for your own. Don’t get me wrong, going away really helps open your eyes to views you may not have previously been open to, but remember to be strong in what it is that you believe in even though others may disagree. Don’t hide your likes and morals because others may see it as strange. You will not enjoy your freshman experience at all by doing so.

2. It’s okay to make mistakes

Freshman year is a time to explore and do things you’re supposed to - or maybe not supposed to. All in all, it is okay to make mistakes. Do not freak out if you have failed a test, missed an assignment or got a little too crazy the night before. The time is now for harmless errors because once you are a junior, senior or out in the real world, you will not have as much leeway for faux pas. So don’t beat yourself up. As long as you’re not a repeat offender and you’ve truly learned from those mistakes, everything will be fine. Also, your college years are times of discovery so don’t be afraid to be fearless. Take risks! Run for an executive position, start a club, start a conversation with someone you wouldn’t normally speak to, play your instrument out in the open, try out for that fashion show or dance team… You’ll be surprised how much confidence you’ll build by pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.

3. Gaining weight is inevitable

Being that you are away from home, you have way more freedom to eat whatever you want, whenever. Also, those nights when all campus food venues are closed, you may find yourself ordering a large pie of pizza. You may also find yourself eating the whole pie while binge watching on Netflix. Don’t get me wrong, some people don’t gain weight at all; some people only gain a little, some people may gain beyond the freshman 15. The point is, if you realize you’re starting to pack on the pounds and are not okay with it, start adding in healthier alternatives. Maybe hit the gym a few times a week with some friends or even substitute that slice of pizza for a fresh sandwich. Do not be surprised if the scale fluctuates though; in fact, don’t even stress it because that actually aids in more weight gain. If you do fall off drastically, don’t worry; for non-athletes, it’s not that easy to be your healthiest and most fit self while in college anyway. You could always get back in shape over the summer or once these years are over.

4. Start NOW to network

Although freshman year can be all fun and games, it is important to establish beneficial connections from early on. Start conversations with professors or people that seem as though they have things going for them. It may seem like you are “using” these people for gains but they’ll understand completely for they were once in the same position. Once they see you are interested or serious about whatever it is you go to them for, they will remember you when opportunities are presented or when the time comes for you to ask a favor.

5. Have a phone call with a parent/loved one once in a while

Being that I was not used to being away from home for a long period of time, I got homesick very quickly. It didn’t help that I kept getting physically sick and did not have my mother around to rub my back and bring me tea. I did find, however, that calling my family or close friends from back home helped in making the transition easier. Just because you are away at school, it does not mean that you can forget those that have helped get you to this point. A phone call or video chat to a loved for reassurance, venting sessions, or even just to catch up can really help you feel more at home.

6. Surround yourself with people that inspire

If you have long term goals for yourself, surround yourself with people who have achieved similar ones or those who are also ambitious. As a freshman, it’s almost certain that your wants for the future are going to change. Being around like-minded people will help you stay grounded, focused and give you more of an idea of what it is you want to accomplish. This will also help remind you of the actual reasons for attending college amid all the fun.

7. Get involved

This was extremely helpful when making friends my freshman year, especially with upperclassmen. I know some freshman like to relax their first year, feel things out and focus on grades, but if you’re someone like me that is used to being busy, join a club or two. It's important to only take on as much as you can handle however, keeping a decent GPA is still very crucial. The good thing about being in a four-year college is that you have four years to experience different groups. I would suggest to pick at least one group that you stick with for 2 years or more to show consistency. This is good for building resumes, connections and teaching yourself how to manage your time.

8. There will ALWAYS be another party

Just because it’s a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night, does not mean you HAVE to go out. If it feels forced to you, don’t do it. They’ll be a million and one parties before you reach your junior year and you have the option of going to whichever one you want. Don’t be upset if you miss one or decide to spend the night in with a few friends or even by yourself. Everyone has their preferences so do what you feel is comfortable for you. Also, pick and choose wisely the events you attend because next thing you know, your wallet will be empty because it was trying to keep up with every single outing.

9. Relax and breathe

Freshman year goes by extremely fast. Hell, college as a whole goes by fast so take your time and enjoy it. It’s guaranteed you’ll feel overwhelmed, stressed, homesick, out of shape, or just blah at random times. But remember to sit back, relax and BREATHE. If you feel pressure building, do things that calm you down like reading for fun, going for a walk, attending church or having a healthy discussion with someone close to you. Even though it may look like it, nobody really knows what they’re doing at first so remember you’re not alone. The pieces of your puzzle will fall into place at the right moment.