1-2-3 College and Me

Going to college is a privelege, a challenge and an honor. It is an exciting time in a young person's life, especially for those who attend college right after graduating high school. It's time to become responsible for your actions while you figure you what you want to do with your future. It is an exciting, sometimes daunting time, but the journey is well worth it in the end. Below find three pieces of advice I wish I'd heeded when I was a freshman in college

1) Work Out and Eat Healthy
That "Freshman Fifteen" you hear about all the time, well, it's true. It may not be 15 pounds you gain, it could be more or less, but it is very easy to gain weight in college. You snack with friends when you study, you buy coffee drinks with sugar and milk in them to stay awake, you buy food like pizza and doughnuts because it is easy, fast and cheap.
Be choosy in the cafeteria. You are in college, they can not deny you the desserts or soda, but you certainly can curb yourself.
At parties, don't drink so much beer, and if you have to drink, get light beer. Obviously, you should be of legal age when you do this.
Walk everywhere if you can. Take 20 - 30 minutes out of your day to do some sort of exercise whether it be jogging or riding a bike or taking a fitness class. Colleges have gyms too. Join it.

2) Don't Get Drunk
You don't want to be "that guy". We all know the guy, the one who always gets stupid drunk and ends up with his pants off or climbing a tree and falling out of it or the one everyone puts shaving cream on when he passes out. Yea, it seems funny at the time, but it's unhealthy and that reputation is not exactly one you want to keep.
You also don't want to be "that girl". Unfortunately for girls, there is stigma. They get drunk, they get loose, they are sluts. That is the usual story for a female who drinks too much - she must be easy. Either that or she is the one who throws up everywhere. Either way, not a great way to be known.
No one is saying not to have fun, and if you are old enough and want to have a drink, great. Moderation. Simple as that.

3) Study, Study, Study
It's a given that you will have to study, duh, it's school! But even if you are not sure of your major, just getting by will make it harder for your coming years. Freshman are still finding themselves, some don't necessarily have a major yet which is fine; however, in order to stay focused, you want to do well no matter what the class is. The harder you study, the better you will do and the easier your other college years will be.
You can still have fun. You have to, otherwise it's not worth it, but make sure you carve out time for things whether it be a job, a sport, a club, a talent etc....Make yourself a schedule each week. For many people, having a calendar to look at can be very helpful.

Good luck and congratulations on your college career!