How to Survive Freshman Year of College

College can be a scary, scary place... take it from me; I did it for five years, finally graduating last year with a double major in Criminal Justice and Psychology. But believe me, it was not easy. It is difficult to maintain decent grades while also trying to make the most of your college experience, which should absolutely be the most amazing time of your life. So here are some pointers, some things that I learned during my Freshman year that made subsequent years much more enjoyable and fulfilling... and livable.

1) Congrats on choosing dorm life, it can be so much fun if you make the most out of it. There are also problems, however, and it is important to be aware of them so that they don't ruin your college experience or force you to run home to mom and dad, which BELIEVE ME, you do not want to have to do:

a) Roommates. They can either be your best friend, or your worst enemy. For your freshman year, it is always best to room with one of your friends from high school that you already know and is going to the same school, so the transition is not quite so scary. But since many of us do not have this opportunity, myself being one of them, you need to accept the fact that your roommate may not be someone who you would have chosen to live with, given the option. They may be messier than you, louder than you, more or less of a partier than you... you get the idea. To avoid future conflicts, it is best to get a feel for the person before classes begin so you know how not to annoy each other. For example, if you know that your roommate has an early class on Friday, it would be considerate of you not to roll in at three in the morning drunk and screaming on Thursday. And, since it is common to meet new people and date many people during college, it is best to establish a code for when someone has a significant other in the room... to avoid potentially embarrassing situations. Make sure to always try to resolve conflicts amongst yourselves before trying to get a better roommate, switch rooms, or get a Resident Advisor involved.