Being a freshman in college is frightening. You are sprung into this new place with no idea what to do with yourself, and you're just expected to figure it out. If you take chances and have courage, you'll find your way, but there was one place that was always a bit more difficult to navigate. That place was the school's gym. The idea of exercising next to guys who had biceps that were the size of my head was never very comforting. I'm proud to say I've made it well past my freshman year and conquered my fear of the gym, so I've compiled some tips that helped me do it.

1. Bring a buddy.

When you're afraid to do something, having a friend to go with generally makes it a lot easier. This way you have someone to laugh with when you do something embarrassing. Whether that is losing your balance on the elliptical or not knowing how to use a weight machine, it's nice to know you won't have to laugh it off alone. Also on a side note, if you are alone, don't laugh to yourself because that will never end well.

2. Go at off-peak hours.

If you go to the gym at less crowded times, there will obviously be less people there to intimidate you. This also means you can claim your favorite elliptical and not have to worry about waiting for weight machines. I've found that the most crowded times at the gym are between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm during the week, so be sure to avoid those times if you can. College gyms also tend to be open late, so you can be there until as late as 1:00 am. The great thing about college is that you are in charge of your schedule. It is up to you to decide when you want to sleep, eat, study, or even go to class (I'm kidding there, you should always go to class). This means you can go to the gym whenever you'd like, whether that is late at night or early in the morning. If you need it to be less crowded to be comfortable, you have options.

3. Invest in the right clothes.

Finding little ways to gain more confidence is a great way to help you face the things that intimidate you. If you want to build yourself up, try investing in clothes that you feel great in. When I say invest I don't mean that you have to spend $45 on a work out tank top. If that's what you want to do, go for it, I bet they're very comfortable. But if you're like the rest of us with college student bank accounts, there are plenty of places with more affordable workout attire. The key is to invest your time. It takes time to find good exercise apparel that is not only affordable but also comfortable enough that you will actually use them for their intended purpose.

4. Map out a work out plan before you go.

Let me set up a little scene for you. You are a basketball coach (let's call you Coach Whitey because the only things I know about basketball are coming from years of watching "One Tree Hill"), so Whitey let's discuss your game plan for tonight. You know your line-up and you know the strengths and weaknesses of all of your players. After everything you've prepared you are feeling pretty confident about your team's odds of winning the game tonight. So why not go into your workout with that same confidence. Set up your game plan before you hit the gym. Know which machines you are going to go on, your goal for how long you want to be on them, and weight levels you want to use. But remember, be flexible because believe it or not there are other people who need to use those machines too. Also I apologize if the basketball analogy was not very accurate, the show never really went into that much depth about what Coach Whitey actually did. Similar to most teenage dramas, the focus was more based around the drama of the gorgeous basketball players. We never really knew what strategy Nathan Scott was actually following, but he looked great doing it.

What were we talking about? Oh right, the gym.

5. Do your research: part 1.

Most college websites have pages for their different facilities, including their gyms. Take advantage of these to answer easy questions such as what services they offer and their hours. It would be just terrible if you made the effort to go there only to be stopped by a locked door because you hadn't checked when they close. It only takes a few minutes to check out their website, you won't regret it.

6. Do your research: part 2.

If you need a little inspiration to help you get there, there are a ton of websites you can turn to. Websites like Pinterest have tons of inspirational quotes and workout tips to help you out. You can also use these websites to find sales for exercise apparel and ideas for healthy eating. By this point, you should realize I'm all about preparation, so be sure to use all of the resources available to you.

7. Listen to music that you actually like.

I don't know about you but I would be very embarrassed if anyone were to look at the different music stations on my Pandoraaccount. But there are these incredible things called headphones. With this technology on your side, you can listen to whatever kind of music you want to and no one will ever know. This means you can listen to music that motivates you, even if that song may or may not still be socially appropriate to listen to.

8. Group fitness is a miracle.

See if your college offers group fitness classes. Trust me, you will be glad that you did. Running on the treadmill every time you go to the gym can get boring. To mix things up try signing up for a fitness class. Schools offer everything from yoga to kickboxing to spin classes. Whether you grab a friend or go alone, these classes are a great way to get a good workout and have fun at the same time.

9. If you're a freshman, it's okay to ask for help. Even if you're not, it's still okay.

If you have a question about a machine or rental policies, it's easy to just ask for help. If you're a freshman, in my opinion you have a free pass to ask as many questions in college as you want. It's a new place, and you're just trying to figure things out. So of course, the gym is no different. Don't be afraid to not have all the answers past your freshman year at school either. Asking a staff member a question is not embarrassing, answering questions is part of their job, so let them do it.

10. Know that it's okay to go at your own speed.

Just because the person on the treadmill next to you can sprint for 15 minutes straight doesn't mean it isn't okay for you to continue your jog. The same applies for the weight room, which in my opinion is one of the most frightening places on the planet. It takes a lot of courage to lift weights next to guys who have biceps that are the size of your face. I can only guess this, but it seems probable that those guys were not born with those arms. So although it may feel like they are judging you for how little you can lift, they probably understand that everyone has to start somewhere.

11. Set up a reward for yourself for when you finish.

Everyone has long term fitness goals, but giving yourself a small treat every now and then can motivate you to help get there. You should be proud of yourself for getting off of the couch and facing the weight room. This doesn't have to be a food related treat. I am a big fan of face masks and study breaks. Exercise is hard work and while you won't see progress immediately, giving yourself a small reward will make you feel that much better about getting up and going back to the gym tomorrow.

12. Remember why you are there, this is about you.

You are at the gym for yourself, you are not there to impress anybody else. Everyone there has their own goals and their own reasons for being there. If you are self-conscious just remember that most people are just focusing on themselves. The person who is sprinting next to you definitely does not have the energy to judge you. So focus on your goals and what you can do. People always say that you should not compare yourself to others, I think that is an especially important thing to remember at the gym. Everyone's body is different, and nothing good will come from making comparisons. If you are at a place where you want to make a healthy change in your life, guess what? We are young enough that we can achieve that. If you have the motivation to do it, and the courage to ask for help, there's nothing that can stop you.