Well hello, there incoming college freshmen!

You are so close to finally starting this new chapter in your life. Even though I don't know you, I can feel your excitement and fear from here!

To help you stop pondering about whether or not college is as awesome as everyone says, let me confirm that it is, it just won't seem like it the first couple of months. I bet you can't wait to get out of your parents' house, meet like-minded people, and make irresponsible decisions; after all, this is what your young adult stage is for.

While college is amazing in so many ways, there are also some things that make it your worst nightmare, but if you follow some of these tips, you should be able to make your freshman year at your university, your best year yet!

Sometimes we get so caught up in the excitement of moving away that we forget that we are leaving our loved ones behind. It's hard; you are leaving the people who you have spent every day with for the last 18 years, so don't feel like you have to cope with your new reality immediately.

Sure, everyone seems like they had no problem with the new living situation, but deep down they are just as sad and afraid as you are. Put on a brave face and meet new people! Making new friends distracts from the fact you are away from the old friends as well as family. I promise after the first couple of months, you will no longer suffer from the homesick stomach pains as much.

Use the cafeteria menu app for your university! I'm sorry, but we upperclassmen HATE it when you stand aimlessly in the middle of the cafeteria. You are not helping the traffic flow of the mass amounts of people coming in and out, and we'd appreciate if you had a better idea of what you want to eat before you come into the cafeteria. The menu app was created for a reason, so go and download it now before you end up pissing off a hangry upperclassman.

You are not a nerd if you go to your professor's office hours! My professors have actually given me a lot of helpful tips to pass their classes just by going to talk to them. You learn what they are looking for in their students, and honestly, this gives you a major upper hand in their class. Professors like to put a face to the name, and if you go to a huge school like I do, being more than just a number on their class list opens many doors! Make time to meet your professors especially during welcome week.

To the girls and guys considering rushing this fall, there is no shame in not wanting to rush. You will meet more friends as time goes on, so don't feel like this is the only way to meet people. I rushed my sophomore year, and after ultimately not deciding to commit to a sorority, I still met a bunch of really nice girls through the process. Ultimately, it is up to you on whether or not you want to rush, and don't listen to the rumors that say it's the only way to make friends.

If you decide to go to parties, go with a group of friends! Always have someone with you who can get you out of awkward situations. Weird dude asking you to come back to his place? This is a good time for your friend to either act like you S.O. or get you out of that conversation immediately. Dancing at parties is mostly grinding, so if you're not into that, dance in a circle with your friends who can alert you when an unwanted visitor comes around. Also, be smart if you are drinking! Don't be that person who gets hammered as soon as the party starts and finds themselves puking in the bushes later on. You will be on many Snapchat stories if you do this )and not in a good way). Have fun but be smart!

Avoid taking classes earlier than 9 a.m.! I know you did it all the time in high school, but college is a whole new ball game. You will not want to get up at 7 a.m. to hike across campus to listen to a lecture about how cells divide. Especially avoid taking early classes in the spring semester because I promise once you return from Christmas vacation, all motivation goes out the window.

Buy football tickets! Even if you don't like sports, I bet you most of the people you'll meet at your university do. This is the best way to spend the weekends up at your university because of all the hype. There is nothing better than cheering on your team with your friends and a bunch of other strangers. It gives you a sense of belonging as well as a sense of community.

All in all, you'll find your way! Just don't expect to be an expert after your first week at college. You will learn along the way your own do's and don't's of college and use those lessons to make sophomore year even better. As your summer is coming to a close, I wish you a warm welcome to the next four years of your life. You're gonna do great!