GirlsGuideTo | 10 Things I Wish I Knew Freshman Year

When starting Freshman year, it's absolutely impossible to imagine what you'll be doing by the time you graduate. Chances are your major will have changed (once or twice, even!), you'll have so many new friends, new hobbies, and even post-grad plans you never imagined. Hopefully, all of these will be pleasant surprises. While everyone's college experience is different, there is some universal advice we wish we knew when starting out. And since us ladies at GirlsGuideTo have already went through the crazy college years, we want to impart our wisdom upon you lucky readers. Here are 10 things we wish we knew our freshman year.

1. You don't have to go to the big, expensive university. Don’t be embarrassed to attend a community or technical college for the first two years before transferring over to a larger school. You’ll be paying muuucchh less money and will likely have smaller more intimate classes. Plus, you’ll still get some of the perks of the nearby Universities, like discounted tickets to football games.

2. Not everyone puts on the Freshman 15, but beware the Sophomore 16! The real challenge is when you move off campus, because with a small budget you'll be more tempted to buy cheap, unhealthy meals like $10 for 10 pizzas. If you can, keep a small meal plan even after your freshman year, and load up on the fresh fruit and veggies when at the dining hall.

3. Your roomies don't have to be your besties and your besties don't have to be your roomies.When you’re deciding whom to live with, choosing a BFF can be really risky. Your best bet is a friend of a friend so you’re not spending too much time together. And try to find someone with similar study habits!

4. GPA isn’t everything. (Did I really just say that?!) But honestly, as long as you’re doing well enough to maintain scholarships, don’t freak out if your GPA isn’t as great as it was in high school. You’ll realize experience is going to be much more useful after graduation. So, join some clubs, volunteer, and take that unpaid internship. You’ll learn so much more for the real world than you would from a textbook.

5. Changing your mind does not mean you've failed. The majority of students will change their major or start off undecided during college. Just because you decide to do something new, doesn't mean you failed at your first choice.

6. Enjoy your freedom. College is probably the last time you'll have summers off and a pretty easy schedule through the school year. So, enjoy it while you can!

7. Don't feel tied down to your high school sweetheart. You can find true love when you're young, but college is a time to meet new people and grow as an individual. Don't feel guilty if you want to grow without your high school boyfriend. He'll understand someday.

8. Learn the Basics: Beer Pong, FlipCup, Asshole, Kings, Quarters, etc. They will serve you well.

9. Slow down. This especially goes out to all the seniors. It goes so fast. So if your friend wants to go sit in the football stadium to get a little tan and ogle the football players, do it. Studying can wait.

10. Learn your limits and try your hardest to stick to them. You’re gonna puke and wake up with a massive hangover more than a few times. Learn what you can drink without the night ending in a blur and always keep a water bottle handy by the bed for the morning.

What do you wish you knew before starting college? Does any of this advice ring true to you? Let us know by leaving a comment!

To hear more about big life changes like starting college, be sure to check out thelatest episode of GirlsGuideTo...TV!