Oh, freshman year...a time unlike any other you will ever experience! Being a freshman is equal parts exciting, terrifying, and amazing, yet hopefully, these tips help you feel a bit more prepared going into your first year at college!

1. Pack a fan. Or two. Or maybe even three.

So, here's the scoop: freshman dorms are typically NOT air conditioned, and the first and last few months of the school year are usually HOT. If you don't already have at least one fan, pick one up and be sure to bring it with you to school. You will most definitely thank yourself when during the first few weeks of the school year the temperature is still upward of 80 degrees.

2. Go to the activity fair.

Yes, I know it's overwhelming and there are approximately ten million students all squashed into one too small tent or room, but it's definitely worth the time to browse all of the options of clubs you can join. I really suggest signing up for everything and anything that interests you, going to one meeting, and then deciding whether or not it's something that you want to continue with. If it is, awesome! You just added a line to your resume and are going to meet so many awesome people. If not, that's alright. Don't make yourself stay in a club that you don't actually enjoy, even if you did a similar one in high school.

3. Get involved, but be sure to give yourself time to actually enjoy college.

After all, these are supposed to be some of the best years of your life, right? If you're always so busy with your fifteen clubs and twenty leadership positions, you're going to find yourself being more stressed than anything. College (and life) are all about balance. Try to find it. And find time to do something for yourself every day, whether that be hanging out with friends, taking a quick nap, doing yoga, going to the gym, playing an instrument...whatever. Do what you love. Love what you do. And if you find that you're too overbooked, don't be afraid to cut back. You're just a freshman. You have so much time to do it all.

4. Ask for help if you need it.

This is in regard to literally everything. Ask for help in your classes if you find yourself to be struggling, either by going to your professor's office hours or by finding a friend or tutor that can help. Ask for help if you're confused on the first day and don't know how to get to the dining hall. Ask for help because everyone around you will be more than willing to help you. You are only a freshman; you are not expected to know it all.

5. You will have "freshman moments." Trust me, nobody cares.

So yes, there will be moments that, no matter how hard you try to seem grown-up or put together, you'll feel awkward, or lost, or just plain unaware. I call those "freshman moments," and they're just part of starting college. No one starts college already knowing exactly how to navigate it, because for most people, it's their first time living on their own, away from their parents, in an entirely new environment. But you'll learn fast, so don't worry. Furthermore, no one's judging you. No, not even upperclassmen. Because they were freshmen too at one point and know exactly how it feels.

6. Get your general required classes out of the way as soon as you can.

Every advisor you'll talk to has a different opinion on this, but personally, I think getting your general classes out of the way as soon as you can is the best choice. Being a senior stuck in a 100 level class doesn't seem too appealing to me, personally, but the order in which you fulfill your degree requirements is really up to you to decide, as long as you get it all done in a timely manner. For more help with this, definitely chat with your advisor.

7. Get to know your advisor and your RA.

Trust me, getting to know your advisor and your RA are two of the best things you can do for yourself as a freshman. Get to know your advisor because you're going to need to bounce ideas off of them during your four years of college, and clearly, they are where they are (an advisor) because they are knowledgeable and have had interesting experiences in their field. Therefore, they really are useful resources. Furthermore, get to know your advisor so if you need an appointment with them or some help picking a class, you're more than just a name on a list to them--you're an actual human being. Second, get to know your RA, or resident assistant. They're students just like you, and usually very close to you in age, so they know exactly what you're going through. Every RA I've met in my college experience has been more than willing to help in whatever way they can, so don't be intimidated. Once again, if you need advice on how to balance school work/social life/anything dorm related/the transition from high school to college, your RA is the person to ask.

8. Set a laundry day and stick to it.

Confession: I hate doing laundry. Between having to lug the dirty clothes downstairs to having to remember to move it from the washer to the dryer exactly 34 minutes later, it has got to be my least favorite part of college. However, what I hate even more is when I want to wear a certain outfit and then realizing that I didn't wash the jeans I was planning on wearing! So set a laundry day, every Wednesday, for example. Find what works for you, and do it the same day every week. Some more pro-tips: don't go too far when you have laundry in the machine, otherwise you'll forget to pick it up/pick it up late. Also, pick up your laundry on time; be courteous to your peers that also have to do theirs! And here's a secret: if you wake up pretty much anytime before 10 a.m. on a weekend, do your laundry then, because everyone's still asleep, and the laundry room's pretty much sure to be empty, so you won't have to wait for a machine.

9. Call your parents.

This one might seem sort of obvious, but when homework piles up and you have a lot of things on your plate, it can easily get swept under the carpet. Don't forget to call your parents, grandparents, or other family and friends that you left behind at home! They miss you and will always love to hear all about your college experiences.

10. Expect your opinions on things to change a little.

If you expect to leave college the same person you were when you began it, then you are very wrong (sorry!). Your college years are some of the most formative of your life because you're living away from home for the first time, so you learn how to be more independent, take care of yourself, and really handle things for yourself. As a result of this, some of your opinions on the world and hobbies will change. Don't feel disappointed in yourself or like a failure if a semester in you decide you don't like your major anymore or you aren't interested in a club anymore that you loved in high school. You're growing up and change is part of that.

11. Do not expect perfection; just work hard and stay focused.

That transition between college and high school is definitely not seamless, so don't expect perfection from yourself. If your grades dip a little bit at first, that's normal; just stay focused and work hard.

12. Keep some food in your dorm room.

When you're up late studying for finals or working hard to finish up a presentation on time, you're going to want to have a snack. Some of the best foods to keep in your dorm room are granola bars, cereal, and pretzels: foods that won't go bad fast.

13. No, finals aren't fun, but you'll be a pro soon enough.

As a freshman, midterms and finals week are likely one of your biggest fears. Luckily, all it really takes is one semester to get a hang of it. Every professor treats finals differently; some will allow you to use your notes (shocking, right?), some will make you do a massive final project or presentation, and some will require an old school test, no notes or anything. The style of the final is usually indicated on the syllabus, so take a look at that. Here are some tips on how to study for finals so you don't feel too overwhelmed.

14. Know that good things take time.

You know that saying, "Rome wasn't built in a day?" Well, it's true. If you don't instantly find your new friend group or feel more homesick than excited, don't fret! It takes a little while to adjust to the college lifestyle and to feel comfortable in your new environment. There is a learning curve, but trust me, by winter break, you'll feel like a professional and love your new life. Good luck!