The Top 10 Things I Learned During My Freshman Year Of College

Not everything in college can be learned in the classroom! (Dedicated to my freshman year roommate and my best friend)

1. Take Risks

Miami University

Whether it's moving to a new state or asking that one girl from your Spanish 101 class if she wants to get lunch later, college is the perfect time to step out of your comfort zone.

2. Get Involved

The Hub: Miami University

Probably the most over used piece of advice for college students, but join a club or organization, meet new people, and embrace this new chapter in your life. And don't dismiss a club or group before checking it out!

3. Find Your People

Scott Kissell

Chances are the people you meet and become friends with in the beginning of the year will be completely different from the people you are hanging out with at the end of the year, but everyone finds their place in college. Sometimes it just takes some time.

4. But Don't Forget Your Friends Back Home

The Odyssey Online

Sure you might not be going to school with anyone from your high school but that doesn't mean your friends back home are going to drop out of your life! Make an effort to reach out every once in a while to check up on each other.

5. Study But Know When To Have Fun

Brick Street Bar

The academic portion of college can be extremely overwhelming so you have to know when to take a step back from the books and enjoy a night out with your friends! (Half of college is figuring out how to balance studying and partying!)

6. Take Advantage Of Free Food

Her Campus

Is a club offering free pizza if you come to a meeting? Or is your residence hall having an ice cream social after the first week of classes? Show up for the free food, and who knows who you'll meet!

7. Call Home

WLWT-TV

Sometimes you need to listen to your mom talk about her busy day at work or hear your siblings screaming in the background and you don't even realize it. They miss you as much as you miss them! (You just won't admit it!)

8. Keep Your Cool

It's freshman year and you're just trying to figure it all out! It's best to know going in that this year will have lots of ups and downs but don't lose it when something doesn't go as planned. Everything will work it's way out in the end!

9. Know Your Limits

The Faculty Lounge

You may think you can handle 18 credit hours this semester but when you're drowning in assignments you are going to wonder who let you sign up for Physics, O Chem, and Bio all in one 3 month period! (This goes for partying as well!)

10. Live It Up

zug55 via Flickr

You only have one freshman year of college and it's up to you to make the most of it!