So you are going to Iowa State University next fall - that's awesome! Get ready for the most fun filled years of your life.

College is obviously different than high school. You might be overwhelmed with what to do and how to make the most of your freshman year. Here is a list of 25 life hacks to make your freshman year at Iowa State University go as smoothly as possible:

1. Do not wear the drawstring back pack and Iowa State lanyard they give you at orientation. Those pieces just scream "I'm a freshman!" when you are on campus.

2. Download the MyState App to help you find buildings on campus, to see the dining centers' menus everyday and to track the CyRide bus schedule.

3. Use the "Iowa State roommate search" Facebook pages to find a roommate.

4. Do not room with your best friend! Trust me, sharing a tiny room with your best friend might seem like a good idea, but it will likely put tension on your relationship after being together 24/7 for a whole year.

5. Leave your door open in your dorm so people know you are approachable and so you can make new friends.

6. Go to Destination Iowa State. This way you can make friends while getting to know your school a little bit better.

7. Check out Greek Life! Being Greek is a great way to make friends early in college and allows you to get involved with philanthropy and leadership.

8. You do not need the biggest meal plan. Look at the meal plan you think you will need, and downgrade a size from that. Fourteen meals a week at a dining center might seem like the right amount, but trust me, you will not eat them all.

9. Keep track of your meal bundles through Access Plus. It will show you how many meals you have left and if you are ahead or behind on how many meals you are eating per week.

10. Get involved with a fun club! Iowa State University has over 850 clubs available for students. Try to join at least one hobby club. For example, try a hip hop dancing club or the Ski and Snowboard Club.

11. Get involved in a club related to your major! This way you will get to know other students who will share many of the same classes as you over the next few years. It also gives you extra insight into what your future career will probably be like.

12. Work out! You've heard of the freshman 15 right? It's a real thing. If you hit the gym once in awhile and occasionally eat a salad, you will be just fine.

13. Call your family. Maybe you are homesick. Maybe your parents really miss you. Let your family know you are safe and having a good time by calling them frequently.

14. Keep in touch with you high school friends. If you all go to Iowa State, perfect! Hang out with them occasionally. If you go to different schools, be sure to text, FaceTime, etc. Don't forget about them.

15. DO NOT GO HOME EVERY WEEKEND. Being away from home might be scary at first, but you will be missing out on so much of the Iowa State experience if you go home too often.

16. Do not revolve your first year at Iowa State around your high school boyfriend/girlfriend. Freshman year is about you and a new stage of your life. If your high school relationship is holding you back, end it.

17. You will probably party, and that is OK. Just be safe.

18. Always have a designated driver for nights out. Within your group of friends, take turns being the group "mom" for the night to make sure everyone in your group is staying safe.

19. Go to free events the university holds as an alternative to partying. For example: ISU AfterDark, Cyclone Cinema and events hosted by your dorm floor.

20. Go to everything that offers free food or, even better, a free tee-shirt. These events often happen on central campus as promotions or fundraisers.

21. You will need your ISU ID for everything. You will need it for the dining centers, most of the buses, all of the testing centers, for getting into the resident halls and for laundry. If you lose your ISU ID, it's not a huge deal. Just go to Beardshear Hall to get a new one for $25.

22. Get into a habit of checking your ISU email often. Download it to your phone so you can check it multiple times a day.

23. Invest in a good planner. Even if you didn't use one in high school, I guarantee you will need it to stay organized in college.

24. Get to know your instructors and academic advisers. This can help your grade in classes, and you can possibly use them as job references some day.

25. Find a good place to study that isn't your dorm room. Your dorm will be filled with friends and distractions. Be sure to set aside time to go to Park's Library so you actually get some work done.

There you have it -- 25 life hacks to survive your freshman year at Iowa State University. If you have any more life hacks to add to this list, leave them in the comment section below.

Welcome to Iowa State family! Go Cyclones!