Freshman year is full of learning and transition. Here's some insight and advice on fifteen components of freshman year that should not be overlooked.

1. Family

When you leave college, you suddenly realize that family is everything. There’s nothing like being away from your safe place to bring you back to reality. The week of your first exams, when stress is at an all-time high, all you want is to be in your bed with a home-cooked meal and a comforting hug. Family is truly the only thing that will be there for you no matter what.

2. Friends

Most students going into college have not had to make new friends in years. Branching out to meet new people is refreshing and challenging. College forces you to meet people from all over. The opportunities are endless, and you never know where you’ll meet a best friend. It’s exciting to find new friendships while preserving your old ones.

3. Relationships

Relationships are tough; relationships in college are even tougher. Long-distance relationships require a lot of patience and understanding. They are tough, but doable. Relationships on campus bloom every day along with long-distance ones.

4. Parties

College = parties. So many college memories come from going out and having a good time, but know that you don’t have to go out and party to make memories! Parties are fun, but being safe should also be a priority.

5. Religion

Countless college students lose touch with their religion as school starts. Sometimes it can be hard to balance everything and fit practicing your faith in, but it is possible. Taking a few minutes out of the day to pray is easy. Wake up and devote fifteen minutes to practicing your faith.

6. Housing

Living on your own is tough, and living with a roommate is even tougher, as it requires a lot of communication and compromise. Regardless, living away from home allows you to grow up. Living in the dorms also gives you a sense of community and being connected to your roommate as well as those living in your dorm.

7. Classes

Classes in college are HUGE. If you go to a smaller school, you’ll be lucky to have 150 or so students in your introductory classes. Larger campuses have classes with around 500 in attendance. The class size tests your ability to focus and work quickly. You always have to come to class ready to absorb tons of information.

8. Studying

You don’t really get study guides in college; it’s up to you to decide what’s important. You have to listen to what your professor emphasizes during lecture and work from that. This becomes extremely tough when it comes to exams.

9. Exams

You know midterm week has hit when you find yourself walking around a full library and the cafeteria has run out of coffee. Exams make up the bulk of your grade and should not be taken lightly.

10. Stress

STRESS. College is full of stress. Stress about exams. Stress about quizzes. Stress about community service hours. Stress about work. Stress about fitting everything into your tight schedule. It’s important to relax every once in a while to ensure that the stress doesn’t burn you out.

11. Balancing Act

It’s all about the triangle. Good grades, sleep, and a social life. You can have two, but you must give up the third. Study hard, but give yourself a break every once in a while. Through it all, do not forget to sleep! Sleep can make a huge difference on productivity and overall wellness!

12. Eating

Campus organizations are notorious for giving out food. Free pizza, ice cream, popcorn, popsicles, you name it! Campus markets and cafeterias also give you the chance to eat cinnamon rolls every morning or burgers every afternoon. College is almost like an all-you-can-eat buffet, but don’t forget to eat your greens every once in a while!

13. Exercise

Squeezing in a workout every day can be difficult for every college kid. Between going to class, studying, working, and everything else on your plate, it can seem almost impossible to find time to exercise. Exercising may require you to wake up half an hour earlier to get in a quick run before class. It’s tough, but possible!

14. Organizations

There are hundreds of organizations on campus that give you the opportunity to get involved! These organizations allow you to meet new people and make a difference on campus and within the community while doing things that you love.

15. School Spirit

College brings about a whole new level of school spirit. You learn the alma mater and fight song by heart and sing it at the top of your lungs at games. You find your closet full of your school colors and your logo and almost everything you own. Your mascot becomes your best friend. College spirit is something that you fall in love with, and it never fades.