After coming out of freshman orientation I felt pretty prepared for my first year at school. After all, they told me everything I needed to know during orientation, right? Probably not. There are a lot of things I wished I knew before the last month or two of my freshman year.  Some things just come with experience, which can be gained first-hand or through someone who already has a year or two under their belt. I’m here to be that student for you.

1. Talk to new people

The first thing you need to know is that you have to talk to people. I know it’s kind of awkward sometimes to introduce yourself, but some of my best friends have been made that way. Get to know your suite and/or your hall; it makes the year so much more fun.

2. Get to know your classmates

Get to know the people sitting next to you in class. These people may not become your best friends, but they make great study buddies. I waited a while to open up to people my first semester, but once I became more open during my second semester, I realized that everyone was in the same boat as me. We’re all looking for friends. Plus, if you don’t act like its awkward, it won’t be.

3. Know your way around

You’ll soon find that there are a million different ways to get from point A to B on campus. Try looking at a campus map and find the easiest route to your classes. It will save you an extra five minutes of sleep and, as we all know, that’s invaluable to any college student.

4. Clean your room

I have two words for you: stick vacuum. You will not believe how dirty the floor in your dorm room will get. Trust me, the $20 is worth the investment.

5. BYOB

Buy your own bottle. You may quickly learn you will spend a lot of money on water bottles. To avoid this, invest in a Nalgene and a Brita water filter pitcher. You won’t save hundreds of dollars, but a few bucks here and there will be enough to fuel your Cook-Out addiction.

6. Beware of the freshman 15

 If you don’t have a Cook-Out addiction yet, be prepared for frequent trips in the future. With your new Cook-Out addiction and eating on campus, the freshman 15 becomes a threatening reality. My advice to avoid it: be careful of what you’re eating. It’s easy to grab a late night snack when you’re studying, but skip the Cook-Out milkshake and go for an apple instead. Try to hit the gym a couple of times a week. These steps will save you from the dreaded weight gain.

7. Make older friends

Make some friends who are older than you. My best friend is a year older than me and she was very helpful last year. Whenever I had a question about something, she could answer it. Also, if someone is older than you, they probably have a car. Friends with cars are pretty useful when you need to go places.

8. Don’t give in

As cliché as it sounds, don’t give in to peer pressure. Before you agree to do anything with anyone, think about it. You can always say no the first time and take time to think over what you want to do, not those around you.

9. Some professors aren’t teachers

I have found that many professors have a way of teaching at you, this kind of teaching is inevitable and you have to learn to keep your own. Don’t rely solely on the professor to teach you the material. Read the book, take notes, make flashcards and use them. These techniques will help you not only in the classroom, but also as a student in your future years.

10. Be yourself

It’s hard being away from home — for some it’s the first time ever — and it can be very easy to fall into a group that wants you to be someone other than yourself. Be confident in who you are and do what you think is best for you. College is a great place to discover your true identity, just make sure it’s your own.

I hope this helps you. I know it can be intimidating but don’t be nervous or worried about anything. Everyone at N.C . State is very kind and helpful. Good luck in your studies this year and make sure you have fun, too.