You are about to leave the nest. A great adventure, and you will finally have your own place. You can hang pictures of anything anywhere you want. No one will see the magazines under your bed unless you share them. You can listen to any music you want, and everyone will most likely love it! Nobody is nagging you to eat healthy, or worrying if your clothes are ironed and put away. You can take a shower or you don’t have to. You can come in at 1 a.m. Who cares? This will be fantastic!!!

The first night you don’t sleep so well. You think it’s the bed. You are not use to a “cot.” The second and third nights kind of run into each other. You are not sure you are eating well. Maybe that’s why you are feeling anxious. You are starting to wonder what mom and dad are doing. You decide to text them but they don’t answer right away. Where could they be? They are always home.

These are just a few of the thoughts racing through your head the first week of college. Did you bite off too much? Are you going to be able to succeed? You feel some panic as you know not all of these freshmen will make it through the first year. You begin to remember some of the pointers you heard mom and dad give you prior to beginning your first year. If you forgot a few, here is a list of ten things you can do to improve your chances of being successful that first year.

1. Stay on campus. Nothing will keep you more in the loop with your studies than being on campus. You will meet more students like you and you will be able to embrace the college experience more. It is easier to find “study groups,” and they have programs set up to support you during your first year.
2. Learn to cope with your loneliness. It is difficult being away from home. When you call home, things have changed. You may feel like you don’t belong there anymore. Your parents miss you, but they trust you and have faith that you can make it. Tell them what will make you feel better. Maybe goodies or cards sent from home will ease your feelings of being alone.
3. Know how much money you have, and keep track of it. Most girls come to school with an expense account. Nothing is more stressful than running out of money or losing a credit or debit card. Have a place for every card, and go online to make sure your withdrawals match your expenses.  Don’t depend on a boyfriend to share his money!
4. Be open to new friends in your classes. Make it a goal to meet someone new every day, and make plans to meet for lunch or dinner. Most of us don’t like eating alone, and nothing will boost your day after a bad test like talking to a like-minded friend.
5. Go to all of your classes and make a schedule to meet your advisor. You may have been a “star” in high school, but it isn’t as easy in college. No one is going to remind you to get up and go to class. It is your responsibility to make sure you have all of your assignments, and to know where you are supposed to be at what time.
6. Eat healthy. When you eat bad food it may feel good for awhile, but you will end up feeling lethargic and fat. This will only add to your stress. Make it a point to eat a healthy breakfast and a healthy lunch every day. Trying to fit in with friends, and eating junk food can leave you feeling chubby and unhappy.
7. Make time for your roommate and get to know them. No one is happy when they live with someone they don’t know. You don’t have to be best friends, but it is important for you to be able to trust that person and not feel like a stranger in your own room.
8. As soon as you begin to struggle with a class get help. Most classes have study groups and tutoring available. Don’t wait until you are lost or so behind you cannot catch up.
9. Walk around so you know where the grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations and banks are located. Most people need these types of stores at times when they least expect it. It is wise to know how to locate them in advance.
10. 10.  Keep life in balance. College can be overwhelming at times, but it is also one of the most exciting times in your life. Take deep breaths, get away by yourself, go for a run, and be grateful that you have the opportunity to be there. Remember the first three weeks of a life-style change are usually the roughest. Do what has brought comfort to you in the past if it is healthy. If you don’t have healthy skills developed, focus on reading and learning new skills. This will take your mind off of how lonely you are, and when mom and dad call to ask how everything is going, you can reply, “Great. I am so busy I haven’t had time to be homesick.” YOU ARE GOING TO BE ALRIGHT.