This time, a year ago, I was anxiously and neurotically attempting to plan out to a T every detail of my first semester as a college freshman, a Bulldawg, and a sorority girl. And guess what? Absolutely none of it turned out like I expected or planned that it would. It was the absolute best year of my life and also the most challenging, eye-opening and life-altering. Yes, I realize most of you incoming freshman probably did not spend as much time looking for the perfect dorm comforter as I did, but many of you are sharing the same feelings. Excitement, nervousness, fear and joy all combined in this exhilarating internal buzz. This buzz has been steadily gaining volume since you got that acceptance letter; this buzz is the knowledge that your life is about to seriously and permanently change in a matter of two short months. So, what would I tell the girl that was sitting in this same chair, 365 days ago, obsessing over the unknown?

1. Work hard, play hard, work harder.

Have your goals cemented in your mind and know what you need to do to attain them. Next, and here’s the tricky part -- do those things while also having the time of your life in one of the most fun college towns in the whole nation. The great thing about Athens is the unbelievable balance between intense academic rigor, SEC football games, huge community involvement, and the crazy downtown/party scene. Most students here are highly accomplished and involved or are working towards being highly accomplished and involved, and most students here also know how to have a great time. My first week in Athens, I was downright flabbergasted. Classes seemed so far away from each other, there were free concerts and parties every night of the week (Yes, even Mondays), and my professors talked a mile a minute. I knew I wanted to keep a high GPA, apply to Terry early, score an internship for the summer, keep up with my sorority, make tons of friends, go to all the football games and get involved in campus philanthropies. In that first week, it all seemed impossible… which brings me to my next point.

2. You will not learn the balancing act overnight.

It’s going to be hard. It’s OK that it’s hard. It’s supposed to be hard. Give yourself five months, and you’ll be a pro at using Quizlet on your phone while walking to class or waiting in the taco line, studying right up until the minute you go out, and knowing exactly how much coffee and time in the MLC you’ll need to ace that test. You’ll also know when it’s worth it go to that party or make that weekend trip with a friend and when it’s more important to give your body and mind some much-needed rest.

3. Let go of the past.

Giving up resentment and moving on to this new and exciting chapter of your life with a blank slate is so empowering. Holding onto that burning grudge against that guy/girl who did that one thing to you sophomore year will only bring youdown in college. So, give yourself and others a break and try to let go of the negative you may have built up from high school. Seriously, listen to the Frozen soundtrack or something and let it go if you can. I’m not telling you to hunt down all the people who have wronged you and invite them to your next birthday party, but don’t let the heartache they may have caused you tarnish your life anymore.

4. Do not become someone you think you need to be. Do not force yourself to do anything you do not want to do.

I know I’m talking about changing a lot in here, but I mean changing naturally for yourself. You may go to college with this idea of who a new and improved you would be and what their life will look like. You may think you need to change how you dress or act in order to attain this upgraded version of reality. Guess what? Just like your teachers and parents have been telling you since day one, that just doesn’t work. Don’t push yourself to be friends with people who don’t respect you or people you don’t click with; don’t join groups whose cause you aren’t truly behind, and don’t make choices you aren’t really comfortable with for how it will look on paper, Instagram or Facebook. I promise you’ll “upgrade” your quality of life much faster by following your inherent passions and values.

5. It’s OK to not meet your best friends right away.

Most people I know have totally different set ‘groups’ than they did in the beginning of the year, and this is just fine. Or, maybe by Valentine’s day, you still haven’t found a set group of friends at all. This is fine too. It takes a while to understand who you want to spend your time with when you yourself are adapting and developing. What I’m trying to say is, let relationships develop naturally as you do; you may be surprised at the strength and closeness of bonds that will result. By the end of freshman year, a girl who I had virtually nothing in common with became the sister I’ve never had.

6. You will at some point in the year feel lonely, overwhelmed, or both.

This is so normal.You’re realizing that you’re growing up, and that the choices you make on your own here will impact the rest of your life. At first, this will probably be daunting and perhaps terrifying. You might get your first D on a test, realize you don’t have a close friend to comfort you over pizza just yet, and wallow in self-pity on your futon for hours. Ironically, it’s very easy to feel all alone at times like this, even though you’re living on a floor with over 100 people. There’s an unfortunate social stigma surrounding loneliness and depression, so it often remains unspoken of among college peers. When we finally opened up about it in March, I was shocked to hear how many of my seemingly well-adjusted friends felt secretly lost at points in the previous semester. My advice might seem cliche, but it’s the truth: this is a widespread and often temporary feeling for many freshmen, you are not the exception, and you’re definitely not alone.

7. Do what is right for you, but be kind and gracious while you do it.

It’s true that freshman year is absolutely the time do what’s right for you and be blatantly self-oriented in your goals.This, however, does not mean you need to be selfish and careless with people around you. If you entered a relationship freshman year that truly isn’t working for you anymore, end it -- by all means. Empathy, however, is one of man’s greatest gifts -- so simply treat others how you would want to be treated.

8. Meet everyone, from all circles of your community.

It’s very easy to isolate yourself in what feels comfortable and not branch out once you do find a routine. It’s great to have a niche, but one of my favorite parts about going to UGA was the fact that I could meet people from so many different places in life in just one city and school. In my very small hometown, most of the kids I knew were of the same or similar social class, race, and religion and had similar plans for college. In Athens, which is a much bigger fish bowl, there is the opportunity to understand diversity -- so talk to everyone you can. If you know you’ll be in Greek life here or if you know that you won’t be, make an effort to have friends on both ends.

9. Go home once in a while if you can.

Sleep in your old bed, hug your siblings and parents extra hard, spoil your pets, go to your hometown Waffle House, and appreciate your roots. As I’ve said, freshman year can be a hard balancing act, and stepping back for a weekend to appreciate home can help.

10. Absolutely, above all else, live in the moment.

Seriously, I cannot stress this one enough. Be present and soak it all in. The colors, the sounds, the food, the people of Athens. You only have one freshman year, and you have to be able to push aside day to day stress and enjoy the countless crazy unforgettable moments it has to offer. You will not remember the times you spent scrolling through Instagram or stressing over your outfit at that party because you didn’t know anyone. You will remember the times you danced like an absolute idiot at that party because you didn’t know anyone and then met the person you were dancing next to.