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14 Decisions Every College Freshman Shouldn't Be Afraid To Make

At first, you won't succeed, but you should try, try again.

1. Letting go of some first-semester friends.

2. Holding off on declaring a major.

3. Taking a difficult class, or a class outside of your comfort zone.

4. Experimenting and getting to know yourself ~sexually.~

5. Going to that party on a Saturday night when you have loads of work to do — you'll still get it done.

6. Not punishing yourself for feeling sad, alone, or upset.

7. Picking up the phone to call mom or seeking help on campus when the going gets tough.

8. Living your life for yourself, not for social media.

9. Escaping your dorm room.

10. Joining an activity or club, especially something you've never done before.

11. Seeing your professor outside of classroom hours.

12. Compromising, even if it's out of your comfort zone, in order to be a better roommate.

Check out any Bed, Bath & Beyond or Ikea catalog and you'll see a picture-perfect dorm room with fluffy sheets, hanging lights, and a bookshelf that would make Belle from Beauty and The Beast jealous. Alas, unless you are the second coming of Martha Stewart, you will probably not achieve such dorm room perfection. But that doesn't mean you can't be a good roommate. This probably will be the first time you're living with someone who isn't family for an extended period of time, and thus will be a challenging, but rewarding experience. Learn to pick up after yourself. Learn to be patient. Learn to listen. Learn to pick your battles. And last, but not least, figure out a system on how to sexile each other.

13. Getting in touch with your body.

The freshman 15 is sadly a very, very real thing. Between all the food suddenly available, the late-night snacking, and the fact that you probably aren't playing a sport regularly anymore like in high school, and the weight will creep up on you. For the most part, that's totally fine and part of getting older (EEEEEEK!). BUT, college is also a great time to develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime. You've probably got a free fitness center at your disposal, potentially with classes. Take that opportunity. If you don't like machines, go on a run around campus. Join a club or rec sport. Staying active doesn't have to be boring or hard, and it can have an incredibly positive effect on your academics. Also, don't be afraid to skip the curly fries and hit the salad bar in the dining hall.

14. And finally, choosing to accept failure.