Like many people, college was the first time I was on my own. It's great, scary and everything in between. I learned a lot my first year at the Stone, but it is far too much to say in one sitting.

My first year I dormed in Hollinshead and I learned quite a bit.

1. Get to Know Your SRA/RA! You'll be glad you did!

- My SRA played a huge role in my freshman year and if she wasn't there, it wouldn't have been as great.

2. Command Strips Are Your Best Friends!

- When they say space is limited in dorm halls they mean it, so Command Strips come in handy.

3. Don't Forget To Eat!

- I know this may be common sense but when you combine limited choices in the dining hall with a packed schedule it is possible. NOT acceptable, but possible.

4. If Your Dorm Hall Has A Kitchen Use It!

- My friends and I spent a lot of time in the kitchen towards the end of the year and it was SO much fun!

5. Go To the Programs Your SRA/RA Have.

- Trust me, they're fun, free, and you can meet new people.

6. Get to Know the People on Your Floor and in Your Dorm Hall

- The girls on my floor were some of the nicest people I've met and some of them became my best friends.

7. Staying on Campus for the Weekend Can Be as Much Fun as Going Home.

- Speaking from experience, my weekends on campus were some of my best days at Keystone. I'm not saying never go home, but if you have friends that stay then definitely consider staying on campus for the weekend.

8. Bring Some Stuff from Your Room at Home to Your Dorm.

- I brought my Albert Einstein and Taylor Swift posters along with pictures to my dorm. I was happy I did because it made my dorm feel like it was really mine (even if it was only for the year).

9. Under the Bed Storage is Key!

- Again, they aren't lying when they say space is limited. What helped me a lot was my rolling under the bed storage that I kept my sheets and towels in.

10. Make A Weekly Routine for Everything- Classes, Eating, even Laundry.

- I was much better off when I got myself into a routine. I based my routine off my class schedule and then put in studying and homework, and then eating. Finally, I capped it off with when I'd do my laundry. This really helped when stress kicked in.

11. If It Scares You- Do It!

- Whether it is taking a risky class or becoming an officer in a club you like, do it. More times than not, you will be glad you did. You can apply this to more than your college experience.

12. Do What Works For You

- At the end of the day you are the one that has to live with your life choices, not your mom, sister, professor, or even the President- You! So do what you need to do, whether that be staying on campus for the weekend so you can study or going home on the weekends to work . This applies to everything from classes to laundry.

Now these are just some of the things that I learned and they worked for me but they might not work for you . I hope these tips help you have a good year at school.