Being the fresh meat on a college campus is unnerving, especially when there is a record breaking number of 34,000 students enrolled at The University of Alabama.

As a rising sophomore, I was in your shoes only two semesters ago. Freshman year is an exciting time, and with all of the new adventures ahead comes a fresh start to your life, something I like to call- “a necessary-responsible-adult-thought-process.” 

1) Find your church family. Now that you are off on your own, it is ten times harder to hold yourself accountable for waking up on an early Sunday morning. Take a couple of friends and church hop for the first few weeks of classes to discover what type of worship suits you best. This is an opportunity to branch out on your own or even find a church similar to your home church. Once you find a church family you will form accountability relationships and lasting friendships that will help ease the weariness of freshman year. 

2) Set a budget and stick to it. Being responsible with your money at the very beginning of college will only help you in the real world. Decide what your necessary purchases are for the week or month and plan accordingly. Also, saving your receipts and keeping track of how much you spend in a journal helps put a visible dollar amount on your purchases.  Paying in cash helps tighten the reins on what you are spending when you have a physical grasp on it.      

3) Make a schedule for your week. Set aside study time and fun time. It is very easy to say yes to every, “Come pick out my outfit for the swap tonight?” or “Let’s go get TCBY!” or even, “Let’s go for a walk around the Quad!” Been there done that, freshman year you don’t want to miss a thing! However, be an adult and actually set aside time to study. Find the study habits that are best for you; study each class thirty minutes a day, or hit the library right after class.    

4) Don’t use all your Dining Dollars and Bama Cash halfway through first semester! Be aware of how much you purchase at Julia’s. When you run out of Bama Cash for your smelly laundry, that’s a problem that stinks for you and your roommates…Also, take advantage of the (almost) free food at the dining halls. Your meal plan has already been paid for, so minimize your off campus grocery shopping and save some $$ by utilizing campus food.    

5) If you choose to drink know your limit. Pace yourself. Once you are away from your parents the decision is up to you and your conscious whether or not you choose to drink. You are responsible for your own actions, and sometimes for the actions of those around you. Keep in mind, it is actually illegal and college freshmen are not invincible!    

6) Get out of your dorm. Yes, you are meant to live in your dorm, but do not LIVE in your dorm. Enjoy your new friends, take a walk around campus, explore the lakes and volunteer opportunities around Tuscaloosa, and go Downtown!    

7) Go to your professors’ office hours. Getting to know your professors on a campus so huge is key to excelling in your studies. Each professor sets aside office hours to accommodate students on a more personal level. Most professors will reteach concepts and/or answer specific questions related to lecture. Aside from hearing the material a second time, office hours allow you to network and build relationships with professors that could potentially impact affect your professional future.      

8) Preplan your schedule for the next semester. Towards the end of each half, you will create your classes for the upcoming semester. Look into the classes that you are interested in taking and do a background check of the professors on www.RateMyProfessor.com. By creating a mock-schedule and meeting with your assigned academic advisor before you actually set a schedule, you will be given reassurance that you are on the right path for academic success.      

9) Watch what you eat and stay active. Many college freshmen are used to the previously busy schedules of high school sports. Maintain exercise by taking advantage of the Student Recreational Centers and Aquatic Center. There are group exercise classes and outdoor recreational activities offered through the SRC. Also, you can even sign up for academic classes under the KIN classes that you can receive credit hours for simply staying active with friends!      

10) College is a time of absolute transition. You may be nervous about living in a new environment, likewise your parents are probably worried sick! Your parents are either paying for your school or supporting you through their love. Show your gratitude by updating them on the new and exciting things going on in your life but do not simply allow FaceBook posts be the outlet of filling them in, they want to hear from you! And honestly, sometimes the reassurance that “everything is alright” from mom can really do the trick.