Starting college can be an intimidating time. You’re in a new place by yourself and, maybe for the first time in your life, you feel completely alone. There is no right or wrong way to do college, but there is a lot of advice that can help guide your way. During your senior year of high school and the summer before you start college, many people are throwing bits of wisdom your way. It’s difficult to cypher through worthy advice and unworthy advice. As a rising senior, here are a few things I wish I would have known as an incoming freshman.

Your health is very important, physically and mentally. Everyone has heard of the “freshman 15.” You have access to all this new food, and no limits once you swipe into the dining hall. While it’s great to indulge in all the great things the dining hall has to offer, your future self will thank you for eating a salad every once in a while. The gym also has many wonders to offer. Most campuses have a full weight room and cardio machines. Campus gyms are free, so take advantage of it for the next four years, because after that you’ll have to pay to workout. It’s also good for you, and your future body will, again, thank you for it.

School can be challenging at times and you could start to feel overwhelmed, be it school work, friendships, relationships, etc. Having mental health days are important. Taking some time to be alone can be a good thing, and you shouldn’t feel bad about turning down plans if you really just need a break. Part of having good mental health is also knowing when to get help. There are many resources on your college campus if you feel like you need to vent to someone other than your friends. Your professors can usually help with school work related issues, but if your problems go beyond that, seeking out personal counseling could be beneficial. Personal counseling is nothing to be ashamed of and it can really help at getting through those rough times.

Get involved!! Go out and do something you enjoy! I know that is something that everyone says, but just do it. There is a club, organization, or intramural team out there for everyone. Joining one of these activities not only looks good on a resume, it also helps you create friendships. Almost every upperclassman you meet will say they joined their favorite club or organization their 3rd or 4th year of college. They also always say they regret not joining sooner. Taking advantage of the city or town around you is also a great way to get involved. If those clubs and organizations aren’t for you, maybe you could get a job. Having some sort of social element really helps when you need a break from school work. Of course, it is going to be scary putting yourself out there, but that is what your time in college is for.

That being said, college is first and foremost, school. College is to prepare you for what comes next in life – getting a job. Since you are paying a rather large chunk of money to be here, doing actual school work is a good idea. You are literally surrounded by a bunch of professionals that are expert enough in their field to teach you. They have a lot to say, so listen to them. Learning is actually one of the best, most fun parts of college. Taking a class about foreign cultures or psychology could be super interesting, so take them even if they don’t count directly towards your major. Take advantage of classes and professors - they are there for you. Go to office hours every once in a while to get help or to just say hi. Building relationships with professors can help you in the future with internships and reference letters.

Lastly, try not to dwell on social media posts from other people too much. Scrolling through your Instagram feed and seeing all your high school friends having a blast can be discouraging. Especially if your first few months of school aren’t going as planned, it can be hard to feel like you made the right choice. Social media isn’t always real, and people only post what they want you to see. They aren’t going to post about how they failed their BIO 101 class because they went out and partied every night. If you can’t out right delete your social media, maybe create a time of day where you can look at it, and feel whatever you feel, and then put it away. Ultimately, don’t let other people’s experiences determine or alter your experience.

College is going to be difficult at times and even scary. Having advice from upperclassmen can make a world of difference. They were in your shoes 2 or 3 years ago and have a pretty good idea of what you are going through. It was recent enough that they can really recall those feelings of being a freshman and give some decent wisdom. With this in mind, college is what you make of it. No one is going to hold your hand and tell you how to do it, you have to figure it out yourself. You create your own college experience, as you will with everything else in your life.