Some of you, my loyal followers, may have read my "Unconventional Advice For High School Seniors" article a little more than a year ago. (By the way, while I have you, loyal followers, what should you be called? Name ideas are suggested. For now, my placeholder is "Leonides.") This was an article that not only avoided the sentimental pitfalls of graduation speeches; it also argued contrary to the actual advice seniors are given by college students who have had their memories of high school warped by nostalgia and Keystone Light. The article was no "This Is Water," but it wasn't too shabby for the thirty-some-odd shares it received.

Now, "Unconventional Advice For Incoming College Freshmen" is the obvious sequel. I was galvanized to write this after "stumbling upon" the ubiquitous article "What No One Is Going To Tell You About Freshman Year". Now, reading this, I wasn't averse to the advice like I was with many "high school senior" articles. In fact, the titles of two articles are practically synonymous, and I've found most advice for incoming college freshmen to be more-or-less appropriate. Why? Going into college is much less sentimental and cathartic as leaving high school (just watch the end of "Boyhood" versus the end of "Toy Story 3.") Therefore, no uplifting, abstract advice is given (i.e. "cherish senior year.")

I guess what got me to write this, other than my competitive nature, is that some parts of said ubiquitous article are that some parts of it just weren't bold enough. (I'm looking at you, "I wish someone told me the 'Freshman 15' was absolutely not a myth.") College is weird because you are fit into a system yet given free reign to do what you feel right. Get too absorbed in one, and you start to lose sensation of the other. And this calls for bold moves, bolder than anything in high school. We're not dealing with "promposals" anymore. This calls for a sequel.

1. Always keep the idea of transferring in your back pocket.

This is certainly the most unconventional advice I'll give. Most of the time, you'll be encouraged to power through a rough start, and you'll have a great college career at the same school. You know who says that? The college you're going to. The college you're paying money to go to unless you transfer out of there. It's like a news channel with ties to a Defense Contractor telling you that war is necessary.

College tours only tell you so much about the school. Sorry to tell you this, but your dining hall does not matter much in the grand scheme of things (unless you live on College Ave at Rutgers.) Actually being there, immersing yourself in the student body—hopefully in more than one way—will be your litmus test. If it's not great, don't settle. You're spending time on money on college, and it's the only opportunity you'll have to be in college. Don't spend it on mediocrity.

So, in the meantime, always look around. Is there a school in the tri-state area you'd want to visit during the weekend? Are any of your high school friends praising the college they're in? If you can't find somewhere to transfer to but you can't stand the school you're in, take common core classes at your local community college. Nothing will motivate you to figure out what you want to do like living with your parents, commuting, and taking classes with middle-aged adults.

2. You can go to a small school — as long as it's not in a small town.

A common warning to ICFs (is that a thing?) is to not go to a small school. "It's just like high school" is the tagline, with maybe a profanity thrown in somewhere. While the population is the indicated subject of the invective, the real cause for dissatisfaction is not the students but the lack of resources these students have. What was worst about high school: it's student population or having to nothing to do except get Half Apps at Applebee's?

So, having your school in a medium-to-large sized city can help transcend a claustrophobic student body. And it works both ways, too. What's the use of having more than enough co-eds if you don't have anything to do? Penn State's undergrad population is 99,133, and it's in the middle of nowhere; the only thing you can do is get blackout drunk. On the other hand, John Cabot University's undergrad population is 1,153, and it's in Rome. Yes. Rome, Italy. Or would you prefer State College, Pennsylvania?

3. Join a club.

It's not the boldest advice, but, God, does it work. I came into freshman year an English major (and, for the record, still am.) I picture myself meeting a bunch of people in my 201 class, and, at night, we would meet up by the Raritan River and read Eliot to each other. To my chagrin, I found out that you don't meet friends in class, and, if you're a misanthrope like me, you might not meet friends in your freshman dorm, either.

That's why clubs are crucial to the friend-making process. Even if you don't see them outside the club, this is one to three times a week that you'll be engaging in a social activity with other people. If you're lucky like I was, you'll meet your best friends there, too.

4. Study abroad sophomore year and save up in the meantime

Studying abroad is an essential, life-changing journey; yet, only 3 percent of college students ever do it. This just another reminder to go for it.

In the meantime, to help your future self out, save up a set amount of money. (Literally right it down, preferably on the 'OK Computer' poster on your dorm room.) Save up. Maybe even get a job on campus. Just do what you can to reach and retain that number by the time spring semester of sophomore year comes by. Not only will it help you in the long run, you will also improve your money management skills, a must when you get to college.