I can remember my freshman year clear as day. Everyone is eager to unpack their things into their new rooms and then head out to the closest party. As a freshman, all you have ever heard about from your older friends that are in college is about how great all of the parties and shenanigans are. Naturally, you are excited to experience some of these parties for yourself and make your own memories.

But once a few weeks, months, or maybe the whole school year passes by, you realize there are so many other things you could have spent your time doing besides getting drunk at some random person's house every weekend and feeling awful the next day.

There are numerous reasons why someone who may have never even been to a party before suddenly wants to go out every week, from Thursday to Saturday. It could be that they want to fit into a new friend group. There is also a term known to many freshmen far and wide, which is FOMO, meaning fear of missing out.

For example, you don't want to be the one person who doesn't go out on Friday and misses out on not only a crazy party, but your friend chugging a container of ranch at the pizza place (or anything else of really no significance but seems soooo cool at the time).

You have been told since you got your acceptance letter to your college of choice that, "You have to make memories every chance you get!" But what if I told you that in order to make lasting memories in college, you don't have to attend parties and consume drinks that make you feel terrible (and unproductive) the next morning?

Personally, I experienced some major FOMO the first couple weeks of my first semester during freshman year. I didn't want to miss out on getting to know new people if I didn't attend a party. Even if I was the designated "mom of the night" and took care of everyone, I would still go out so I didn't miss anything! Once first semester came to an end, I realized that if someone is really worth getting to know, they will have a study date with you on a Tuesday, or have brunch with you on a Sunday. They won't call you lame if you decide you'd rather eat a gallon of ice cream and watch "How I Met Your Mother" on a Saturday night.

If you want to have a truly memorable college experience, get involved on campus. Focus on your true interests, which could be any hobbies or sports you have always loved. Apply for internships and make connections with alumni and other business leaders. Make a name for yourself in the world. Become friends with people who not only help you learn new things, but encourage you to step out of your comfort zone. Also, don't be afraid to spend some nights just simply relaxing with a movie and snacks!

College is the time for improvement and change. It's time to learn how to cook your own meals, enhance your work ethic, develop studying strategies, and become a better individual! It is NOT the time for games, acting like an idiot, and lowering your IQ. Who you choose to surround yourself with ultimately determines your fate. If you decide to hang around people who drink four nights a week (or sometimes more), you will end up developing bad habits.

Once bad habits are developed, you might start missing homework due dates, forgetting to study for important exams, or altogether just stop caring about school. This isn't to say that you can't still go out with these people occasionally, or that you should never attend a party during your college years. Don't be afraid to have fun, just know how to tell the difference between good and bad habits. If you still feel the need to go out a few times a week, at least work on finishing all of your homework before your weekend of binge-drinking.

Never tell yourself, "I'll just do it on Sunday." No, you won't. You'll be in bed all day chugging water and regretting going out the night before.

In college, it's extremely easy to let other people's influences dictate your success. It's easy for your friends to convince you to go out although you said you have an important assignment due on Monday. What I've come to learn is that the true, timeless friends won't force you to go out. Instead, they would say, "You know what, I'll stay in with you tonight! Let's order a pizza."

Those true friends will always be by your side and push you to be a better individual all around. These are the people that will be there when you graduate, get a full-time job, start a family, and all throughout your adult life! As far as making memories, learn how to balance having fun with developing yourself into a productive, smart, above-average student and person!

Remind yourself that this is the time to grow, and that partying every weekend isn't the only way to have fun in college. This will not only impress your parents and friends, but it's good to just do it for you!