Survival Tips for Incoming College Freshmen

If you have a question or a concern about how something is going in a course, email the professor, visit during office hours, or set up a time to stop by their office. You'll find that they're often very receptive, and in some cases, being friendly with them and showing that you're making the effort can mean all the difference if a grade winds up on the line between two letters.

Enjoy Yourself!

Don't let all this talk of classes and grades overwhelm you. Above all else, have fun!

If you go to a school known for sports, make time to attend the big games. Make friends and join them for parties (even in the middle of the week sometimes). Pull an all-nighter at least once your freshmen year; it's a staple of college life, and everyone should see just what it takes to cram for an exam into the wee hours.

Just don't let any of the fun get in the way of grades. In the end, the school doesn't care how many football games you attend in one season if your transcript has D's and F's all over it.

If you can maintain a manageable course load and keep in touch with professors to ensure you're doing well throughout the semester, you'll find that not only will your first year of college life be much less stressful, you'll also have plenty of time to live your own version of Animal House.