7 Tips for College Freshmen

The first year of college for some people is new and exciting and it means meeting new people and getting new and fun experiences you couldn't have in high school and most of all it means more freedom. For others, the first year of college can be the end of a great four years of high school and the nervousness of meeting new people, being challenged harder in the class room, and becoming more independent when you don't want to be. A lot of people tend to go into their first year unprepared and do not make the most out of their stay and end up transferring or dropping out. With these tips, your freshman year can be the best year of your life.

1. Don't stop making friends. This is huge. If you meet a group of people you like immediately the first day, that's great. It sounds a little funny, but networking helps a lot. Get a Facebook page and friend request people you see around and meet. You don't want to stop making friends after the first week because they may not turn out to be the people you thought they were.

2. Get involved. Most college students see college as a chance to just sit back do their work and basically do nothing else but watch TV and play video games. It's tough to enjoy the college life when you're in your room all day wondering what everyone from home is out doing at their college. Get involved in something, anything that you're interested in, whether it be Greek life, sports, clubs, or academics. Just get involved, stay involved and you'll never be bored.

3. Learn to like reading. Before you head off to college in the fall, make yourself enjoy reading during the summer. There really isn't homework per say in college, just a lot of reading and retention, test taking and papers. You'll read more in the first semester of college than you have in your entire high school career, so learn to like it.

4. Ratemyprofessors.com is your best friend. Seriously, knowing this website and knowing what teachers you're taking is huge. You might want the easy way or the hard way, but not knowing what you're getting and taking 5 hard courses could ruin a semester.

5. Embrace the early classes. As a freshman you're usually left with the classes that aren't the most attractive to upper class men, i.e. early in the morning. If you can take all your classes early in the morning and get your day over with.

6. Head to the gym. The Freshman 15 is no myth if not taken seriously. If you truly want to keep off all that weight from all the fried food you'll be eating while away, hit the gym a few times a week to keep that extra weight off, and it's a great way to meet people.

7. Look for a job second semester. First semester just get used to the school work and make new friends. Second semester, start looking for a job to help supplement your income for all those parties study sessions you have to go to.