I really wish that my freshman year I would have had a list to let me know what you really need to survive in college. Obviously you need the necessary school supplies and all that, but what I'm talking about is the personal tips on how to get through the next stage of your life. That's why I've decided to do my best and compile these five tips/tools you will need to rock college.

1. Always set more than one alarm.

Let's be honest, the majority of us are not morning people. I laugh at the thought of actually waking up singing happy tunes and loving the world any earlier than 10. I made the mistake of taking 8 a.m. classes and I thought, "oh hey I did this all through high school and I only needed one alarm to get up in the morning." HA. Joke's on me because trying that in college got me an embarrassing first impression running frantically into my first class. So do yourself a favor and always set more than one alarm before you end up late for your class.

2. Write down all assignment and due dates.

I quickly learned that having a planner on me at all times was my lifesaver. I'm a very busy student between classes, study time and working. One way to ensure that you won't miss a meeting or a paper deadline is to write everything down. You don't even need to use an old-fashioned planner, you can use Google calendar on your phone!

3. Don't overwork yourself.

I know college is a new and exciting time for everyone, which also means that it's easy to get ahead of yourself and bite off more than you can chew. The quickest way to burn yourself out at the beginning of the semester is to fill your schedule up to the maximum. It's important to stay ahead and get involved with your school, but relaxing time is also important. You can't continue to do well if you're a zombie!

4. Always bring a water bottle with you.

I don't know how much money I spent on drinks in the vending machines or at the cafe. Probably more than I should have. That's why I started filling a water bottle up before bed and sticking it in the fridge to make sure it was all ready for the next day. Plus, it's a healthier alternative to always grabbing that iced coffee or soda for class.

5. Bring sweatpants.

I feel like this should be pretty self-explanatory. But seriously, having a couple pairs of these to wear during the week when you're not feeling jeans, or it's a little cold out will save you in the long run. Trust me on this one.

These are only a few tips that I have to give out, but I could write a book if I really wanted to. Don't be afraid to find new things that work for you!