Freshman year of college: one of the biggest milestones an American young adult faces. As the semester comes closer, you may be feeling a bit nervous about beginning. If you’d like some advice on how to make it the best transition and best year ever, look no further!

• Make peace with your roommate.
• Keep a day planner and actually use it!
• Stay healthy.
• Get involved!
• Don’t assume anything about your school’s Greek life.
• Take time for yourself.
• Stay clean and organized.
• Go to class.
• Start looking for internships in your field early!
• Make friends with your advisor and professors.
• Don’t lose touch.

Your roommate may not be your best friend, and that’s okay. However, you do have to tolerate them, at the very least. Of course, it’s ideal that you’d be friends with your roommate; after all, you’ll likely spend more time with them than anyone else on campus. Learn how to live together, and keep things peaceful at the very least. It’ll make your life significantly easier.

We, as college students, have enough to worry about; don’t let a lack of organization slow you down. Have a day planner in your book-bag and write everything down. Homework, tests, quizzes, upcoming assignments, due dates, reminders (for school or work or whatever else), and if you have space, maybe a recap of what you covered in class on any certain day. The trick is, though, to actually reference the writing that you (hopefully) do. It’ll keep you more organized and focused, and you’ll be less likely to forget something. Another tip: read the syllabus and try to get some things started (or even finished) early! It’ll save you a huge amount of stress.

You don’t need to be a “picture of health” but you should remember to eat, and remember to eat healthily to avoid the dreaded “freshman 15”. Most schools have a gym that is free for students to use, as well- take advantage of it every once in a while! You might find you really enjoy it.

This is probably the tip you’ll hear the most, but that’s because it’s so true! My university has a general rule of thumb: join one club involving your major (or one you’re interested in, if undecided), one club indulging a personal interest, and one outside of your comfort zone, to get you involved in something different. You’ll meet so many new people, and you’ll have a great time!!

Let’s face it, being involved in Fraternities and Sororities has a negative connotation. However, if you learn more about them, you’ll find they may not fit the stereotype! A lot of people go through recruitment, and most as freshman. Take a chance on recruitment; even if you don’t join Greek life, you may still make some new friends!

Don’t forget to take time to relax and enjoy yourself. School work is incredibly important, but so is your mental health! It’s okay to take breaks.

It’ll be so much easier to focus and get things done if you’re organized and your work space is generally cleaned up. Also, learn how to take good notes so that you can review them more efficiently- it’ll help a lot.

A lot of freshman find themselves at a crossroads; for the first time ever, nothing is forcing you to go to class other than your own will. A lot of people struggle with that, and abuse the freedom they have, jeopardizing their grades. You’re in college to get a degree and find a career- in order to do so, you need to attend class and keep grades up.

This one is pretty self-explanatory. The earlier you find an internship, the more experience you’ll have, and the more hirable you’ll be in the future!

This will help immensely if you need references for jobs or internships, help finding jobs or internships, if you need recommendation letters to graduate school in a few years, and it will make your life easier if you need help with something academic.

Remember to shoot a text to your high school friends every so often, and keep in touch with your family. After all, they’re the ones supporting you through the next 4 life-changing years!

Above all, work hard and enjoy yourself. These four years will be over before you know it.