1. Tailgate. Do it the first four games, before it gets freezing and miserable. Walk all around campus and enjoy the scene.
2. Befriend your section-mates early. Even if you hate them. You're going to hang out with them at first, so just accept it. You'll probably end up being lifelong friends, but if not, at least you'll have a way to get out and meet new people that you do want to be friends with.
3. Find a sleep schedule for yourself that works. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement and adopt an "I'll sleep when I'm dead" attitude. That'll come back to bite you, trust me.
4. Go to a dorm party, but not that random one that your friend heard about. That'll suck. Go to one hosted by someone you actually know, where the room occupancy will be much closer to 15 than 50.
5. Go to Reckers/LaFun (depends which one is closer to your dorm) at 2 AM on weekends. You'll be able to laugh with that kid in your Tuesday class about seeing him in a slightly different state on Saturday. Plus, some of the most important and life-changing conversations I've had have taken place in those booths.
6. Take part in your dorm. Play section sports and inter hall sports, go to special masses and save the date of your SYR/Formal. It feels great to be a part of the community, and you'll feel more at home when everyone you see is a friend.
7. Study with classmates/friends. It's usually easier to stay on task that way. And study outside on nice days; you'll cherish those memories from December to March.
8. Join a club or two. If you like it, it can become your entire life. You'll party with those people every weekend, travel with them on breaks, and eat with them in the dining hall.
9. Break parietals. ;)
10. Don't take it too seriously. You may think college is the place where you'll figure out your entire life. That may be, or it may not be, and both are okay. Don't try to force it. If it happens, let it happen by accident, when you're not looking for it. You're going to be balancing schoolwork, meals, sleep, clubs, dorm events, social life, relationships, possibly a job, and exercise, and good luck getting anything done on game day. So figure out your priorities, and keep them in mind; turn your mistakes into learning experiences, and go with the flow.
