Leaving high school and entering college is a major step in a young adult's life. You are essentially leaving your friends and family and entering a totally new atmosphere. You may be leaving the state, you may not, but in the end it's still a major change ahead of you. This is a scary, yet exhilarating experience that you will look back on in life and remember forever. Going to college I learned a lot of things through experience, but some things I really wish I would've known before I had gone. These are a few of the tips that I would recommend

1. It's ok to make mistakes

You are new. Being new comes with making mistakes. You might walk into the wrong classroom, who cares? Just know that not everything is going to go smooth and that everyone goes through it. Grades might not be what they were in high school in the beginning, take a deep breathe and just let yourself know, it will take a little time to get use to this new place and the tests.

2. Friends

Don't stick around only a couple of people your first year. Meet as many people as you can, because by your junior year, you will know who your real and closest friends are. It's good to have a main group to hang out with, but a lot of things can change in one year of college, and if you don't hang out with them anymore, who will you go to next if those were the only people that you were ever around? As my friend Sam Sanda says, "meet at least one new person a day".

3. Class

This is college, the professors will expect more out of you. HW isn't worth 80% of your grade like it was in high school. I know some schools don't even give out credit for homework, but if you go to a small school they may. That being said, do your work. If you get behind, it's hard to catch up because these classes go at a fast pace. If you are behind, get help from another student, a tutor or prof.

4. Use your resources

If you're lucky your school will offer you help for anything you need, you just have to search for it. If you're stressed you can seek some counseling at the counseling center where the staff is nothing but accepting and kind. Career problems? Use the career center to lessen your stress about finding a job or something less than that, like picking a major.

5. You have time

Take the time to learn what you're really passionate about, then pick your major. Lots of people are ending school saying they wished they would've majored in something different than what they're in. Take your time with your major, you have four years, use them.

6. Have Fun

Very cliche, but college has been the best time of my entire life. I just want to let you know that before you get too nervous about all the tests and the homework. Go to sporting events and activities. That is where you will meet the most people and you will also have fun at the same time.