If you are reading this, you may be entering your freshman year at SMU. Congrats, and welcome to the greatest (and most beautiful) school in the nation! With orientation and the first day of classes quickly approaching, you must be excited, nervous and a little scared to start this next chapter of your life at SMU. Here are a few tips to help make your first few weeks at SMU a little easier.

1. If you have a choice, always go to Umph.

4 words. All. Day. Omelet. Bar. Umph also has a beautiful dessert section with a bell that rings every few minutes to let patrons know that fresh, hot cookies have been prepared. On your way in you’ll also get daily motivation and a hug by the ID swiper, Derrick.

2. A champagne brunch before a Boulevard does not serve food.

This is VERY important. Do not show up on an empty stomach. You will have many regrets.

3. Make the most of Mustang Corral

Seemingly endless hours of icebreakers, name games and discussions may sound like torture, but many people end up making some of their best friends at Corral. Be social and say hi to the person sitting next to you; they could become a lifelong friend.

4. If you don’t want to workout in front of the whole school, go upstairs at Dedman.

Do you hate working out in front of groups of fraternity men bench-pressing, random professors and any acquaintances? If your answer is yes, then workout upstairs. There is less equipment, but that means less people.

5. There are libraries besides Fondren.

Fondren is great for late-night studying (especially now that there is a Starbucks), but it can get over-crowded very quickly. SMU has so many other libraries on campus; so don’t be afraid to study at one of them. A couple of my favorites are Hamon Library in Meadows, Bridwell Library by Perkins and the business school library.

6. Buy a step stool for your dorm.

The standard bed height at SMU is at a very awkward height. It is too low to have a ladder, but too high to get into your bed easily (especially if you’re shorter like me). Instead of struggling trying to literally jump into your bed, just go to Target and buy a simple step stool.

SMU is a special place. It is truly one of the best communities I have ever been a part of. Enjoy every second you have here; four years go by quickly!