– The “freshman 15” exists, along with the “freshman 20”, “freshman 30” and so on. Keep it healthy-ish and try to participate in physical activity. From clubs to intramural sports and hitting the gym.

– If you can coexist in peace with another human while basically living in a shoebox, you’re already one step ahead. Dorm life can be tough. Be strong and use Febreze. 

– Keep socializing, but do it in the right way. Socializing in a way that’s productive for you and maybe for others — a church event, club on campus, volunteering, etc. — versus constantly partying should help you in the long run.

– When you go to class, actually pay attention. When you buy the book, actually read it. When you take the notes, actually apply yourself.

– Before you register for classes, have your advising appointment for the next semester, have a plan and a back-up plan ready. “Set up” the weekly schedule you want on an spreadsheet or something. Your adviser might recommend taking or not taking a certain class, a class you want could be filled up before you get dibs, your classes aren’t offered at the time you thought this semester, you need a prerequisite, etc. Be ready to change. 

– When you make your schedule, keep in mind other things you have going on. If you go to church events or youth group meetings, when do those take place? Club meeting dates and times? Do you have a part-time job that you have to be at by five? Are you going to need to attend supplementary instruction groups?

–  Do professionally-minded things. Attend careers fairs, listen to guest lecturers, utilize career services and stop in on some resumé workshops. Anything and everything helps. 

– Having the ability to do something doesn’t mean you should. Don’t not wear a condom, don’t go to bed super late, don’t eat pizza and Ramen at every meal, don’t put off laundry until you’re considering reusing underwear, don’t choose alcohol over reading and don’t smoke anything. Or at least try to not do these things. 

–  Don’t automatically assume you’ll study abroad. Aspire to take part in the experience, but keep it real. Countless high school students think they’re going to jet off for a semester in grand ole’ Britain, but then reality hits when the study abroad information session breaks that it’s going to be 3500 big ones on top of discounted semester tuition. There are scholarships, rich and/or generous grandparents, other opportunities and whatnot, but there’s a fair chance you won’t be over the water.