It’s hard to believe that my first semester of being a freshman in college is coming to a close. With so many fond memories of game days and friend’s birthdays, all I can think back to are the most amazing memories I have shared with the most amazing people. These people certainly will continue to be some of my closest friends and I am so excited to meet so many more. There is so much advice I wish I was given before starting college so I think it’s important to share with all of you.

1. Live in the moment.

Don’t spend too much time on your phone. Instead of living in the moment you will be reminiscing all the fun nights you have spent with friends based on the thousands of pictures you took that night. However, if you had been in the moment, you would be able to remember everything from the top of your head and you would have had more fun.

2. Don't beat yourself down for getting one bad grade.

You’re certainly not perfect but neither is anyone else you meet at college. Everyone makes mistakes and that’s okay, but you just need to get back up and keep working hard to surpass your goals

3. Use your TA's to your advantage.

Your TA's are there to help you, not to hurt you, so why not give them a try? They want to make sure you succeed and they can help you get to the exact place you want to be in the future. The best part is they may even be a student just like you!

4. Get involved on campus immediately.

Don’t wait around till the last minute to get involved. Of course you are going to be very busy but when someone asks what you do in your free time you’ll certainly have plenty of answers.

5. Go to all the football games (even if your team isn't good).

Support your school and your teams. Even if your school doesn’t have the most amazing football team they need your support! Your support will make them work harder until they become the team that starts winning every game.

6. Keep in touch with home friends.

Home friends will forever be your rocks and you’ll definitely never meet anyone just as crazy as them. It can be difficult to talk to them every day but make sure the occasional text is sent so that they know you’re still there for them when they need your help.

7. Start studying for your exams two weeks early.

Getting a head start on studying for exams is definitely the way to go! It will make you less stressed and feel more prepared from an earlier stage. Exams can be stressful but if you get a head start it will make you feel a lot better.

8. Make sure you reward yourself after a long day with some fun with friends.

After a long day of working hard you definitely should reward yourself with a night out with friends or even a movie night that can help you relax. Working hard is good but making sure you have fun as well is very important. Don’t ware yourself down, yet, work hard and play hard!

9. Stay open to meeting new people.

There will be so many people wherever you go but the most important thing is to stay open minded and keep meeting new people. Friends will come and go but you may never meet your best friend if you don’t say hi.

10. Everything will be just fine.

Things may not exactly go your way at the beginning but don’t worry. Eventually everything will come together and you will be having so much fun exactly where you are.

The most important suggestion I have is to stay in the moment. Of course take a few pictures so that you can Instagram, but after you are done with that, put your phone down and actually take in the friendships you have built with some of the most amazing people. Also, make sure you give everyone a chance. Not everyone you meet is going to be someone you thought you would be friends with in High School and that’s okay. That’s why you’re in college now. Open yourself up to meeting as many people as you can and you will immediately feel as if you are a part of your campus. Transitions do suck, but going out of your way to make a new friend every day is something you can only really do once you are in college. Use it to your advantage.