Give things time.

Although you can have a ton of fun and meet a lot of new people your first semester, there is a lot of adjusting that comes along with being away from home and all of your friends from home. One day you might be on top of the world, and the next day you might feel like the only person in the world, and you don’t even have your best friend to go hang with to make it all better. A lot of people talk about wanting to transfer or go home during the first semester, but I’ve learned that you have to give things time, and it will definitely get better.

If you think you know everything for that exam, you probably don’t.

If you want good grades in your gen chem or bio lab, you can never know the information well enough. Study, study, and study some more.

If you have questions, ask them.

In class if you are confused about something, someone else probably is too, so you’re helping more than just yourself. If you want to know about how to join a club or be a mentor or whatever you’re interested in, ask someone who is involved in it. It’s not weird, I promise. If you don’t know how to do something for registration, ask your advisor. You’re not stupid, and it’s important. Don’t be intimidated to ask people for information or help; you’ll get left behind if you don’t.

Talk to people.

Starting conversation with people is extremely awkward sometimes, but it’s probably 10 times more awkward standing in the elevator with one other person while you both aimlessly stare at a spot on the wall. It’s not weird to ask someone how they’re doing or to tell that girl that you are obsessed with her shirt. Everyone comes to college not knowing a ton of people so the opportunities for friendship are endless because no one wants to be alone. Stop being shy and talk to people.

Take an early class.

Waking up early will make you so much more productive and definitely makes you feel better about yourself. Lying in bed until 11 is nice for Sundays, but you’ll feel guilty about how lazy you’re being and all the work you could be getting done if you pull that during the week. Part of becoming an adult includes getting up early to be responsible, so get used to it.

Take advantage of the friendships you already have.

When you’re graduating, you are thinking, “Thank God, I don’t have to see any of these people anymore,” but I promise when you’re in a bigger pond with many more fish, you’re going to be wishing that you had some of those people you “never wanted to see again.” Don’t resort to only hanging out with people from high school, but you can branch out and make friends with whatever friends they have, too.

Don’t be friends with the person who is going to tear you apart over everything.

Some people are just toxic, and at a time when every girl is already overly self-conscious about her stomach, if she’s dressed appropriately for the occasion, if her hair looks OK, etc., you don’t need someone who is just going to put you down. Surround yourself with positive people.

Don’t expect the second semester to be anything like the first.

A lot of people don’t even end up with the same friends they started with the first semester. A LOT changes between the first and second semester, so don’t get too comfortable that the person you have been “best friends” with for about four months is really your best friend. And if things aren’t going well, don’t be convinced that it won’t get better (because it will).

FOCUS ON SCHOOL.

Someone (maybe you) is paying thousands of dollars for you to get an education so that you can be a successful adult. They aren’t paying for you to go get drunk and put off all of your responsibilities. Be thankful that you are even receiving higher education, and take it seriously.

Don’t leave who you came with.

Whether you’re just going to Dairy Queen, a bar, or a house party, don’t lose sight of the people you came with. It’s never OK to leave your friends even if you have to turn into a babysitter sometimes.

Don’t buy your books from the bookstore.

Just don’t do it.

Relationships.

I’m not going to slander a relationship because that’s totally OK if you want to be with someone who you really like, but what isn’t OK is to restrict yourself to that person. College is a time to be selfish, meet a bunch of new people, and have fun. Don’t let someone take that away from you because you are only young once, and you won’t get these years of your life back. Don’t feel bad about having fun and enjoying yourself. If your significant other is treating your poorly, makes you upset more than happy, or the relationship just feels like a chore—evacuate immediately.

Go for a run if you’re stressed.

Running? Gross. Maybe it sounds like a dreadful idea, but going for a run will keep you in shape, looking good, and can relieve stress. It might get some endorphins going too, and you’ll feel a lot happier.

Time flies.

It’s insane to me that my freshman year of college is coming to an end. It feels like just a month ago I was looking at the “Class of 2019” Facebook page seeing who I could potentially become friends with. Time is fleeting, so take advantage of every moment you get and try to make them all meaningful.

Make time for yourself.

Although time is flying by, it is perfectly OK to want to lay in bed alone and binge watch "Friends" or sleep instead of going to some big social event sometimes. Just don’t make it a habit.

Be yourself.

Most importantly, be yourself. Everyone is weird, and everyone does stupid and embarrassing things. Embrace it, and surround yourself with people who enjoy you for who you are and share the same stupid humor that you do. No one really cares about the quirks of your personality or if you go to class in what you slept in. Trying to be something that you aren’t is never fun or comfortable, so enjoy who you are, love yourself, have fun, be nice, and you will be happy.