Fall semester begins; copious amounts of students flood the halls, wandering around searching for their own various classes. This is the freshmen experience that most students encounter when first entering college. However, the freshmen experience is not limited to being lost and confused. Social anxiety, the overwhelming realization of actually being a college student, and for some the first time of having the feeling of almost complete freedom: these are usually the next effects of the freshmen experience that finally sink in. Balance is the key to survive and break through the barrier that is freshman year.

Now’s your chance. High school is over now; here’s your chance at a new beginning. Start out this chapter of your life right, leave any drama at the door; you are attending college for a reason. Go into class with a positive attitude, develop good study habits early, befriend those who will be good influences, and make an effort to improve in class.

Take a risk.  Exit your comfort zone; get involved with the college by joining a club, activity, or sport. Getting involved will help you meet new people and try something different. New experiences can widen horizons and bring on completely new perspectives of the world.

Wake up.  Buy several alarm clocks if necessary; get to class on time, and be prepared. Make friends with coffee in the mornings. Being enrolled in college will not do any good if you are not in class to learn.

Get to know your professors: Communicate, communicate, communicate.  Communication is extremely important. If you are struggling, do not be afraid to ask your professor questions. If you are embarrassed to ask, wait until after class. They will be more than happy, usually, to try and give an explanation. Know ahead of time if you will be missing class and let your professor know. Whether it be for an extracurricular activity or something outside of school, be aware of what you’re missing out on and what you will need to catch up on later. Also, you should get to know them now. Who knows when you will need future references later down to road.

Make use of ACC’s resources.  Allen has resources to help further your education and make you a better student. Located in the library is the tutoring center, and in the SCC is the writing center for academic needs. On top of that Allen also has several computer labs and a Mac lab available for use. Opportunities are here to help better yourself, make use of them.

Break out; do not make your room a prison cell. Although it may feel tempting to hide away watching television, playing video games, and procrastinating on homework, get out a little bit. Take a chance, mingle with other students.This is a chance to experience campus culture and get involved with activities outside your dorm, or living place. Dig your way out to freedom with a spoon if necessary.

Ramen noodles are not a stable food group.  Although they are a quick and easy meal, they are not exactly nutritious. Maintain a healthy diet; keep the food pyramid in mind. Eating healthy will not only keep up your energy, but it will help maintain a healthy immune system.

Procrastination has the power to ruin more than just your GPA.  As easy as it is to say “Oh, I’ll do it later” and set homework aside to the last minute, it can be damaging to your health. It may not seem like it at first, but that “I’ll do it later” stack builds up rather quickly, adding unneeded stress and anxiety. With enough stress and anxiety, it can lead to unhealthy weight loss and lack of sleep. At this point, take a deep breath, and do what needs to be finished. Time is of the essence.

Headphones in, world out. On those days in which you may have procrastinated too much and simply need to get stuff done, it may be the time to plug in a set of headphones, turn off the television, shut off the Xbox and the cell phone, and focus on what is important. According to www.sciencedaily.com, music has been scientifically proven to help students focus on homework by stimulating the area of the brain that helps you maintain attention.

Take a step back. When it all becomes too much, do not be afraid to take a break; proceed to take a deep breath and smile. College can be physically and emotionally exhausting. It will not hurt to step away and assess the situation, then come back to it later, visit family or friends. Staring at the same homework assignment or problem can get tiring; taking a break could bring on fresh ideas to overcome your problem(s).

Know your limits.  College is more than just a social scene, and the party scene can get out of hand. Despite your newfound independence and freedoms, keep in mind that your education is important. Hence the last tip, finding your balance.

Find your balance.  Balance is the key to surviving not only your freshman year, but also your college years as a whole. Freshman year is a chance at a completely clean slate to meet new people and can provide new opportunities to get involved. Remember, colleges are here to help further your education, not just a party scene. It is important to find a balance between time for yourself, work, academics, having a social life, and on days when it all becomes too much, it is as easy as taking a step back. By combining all of these tips, any student can have a successful freshman year, and an overall successful college career.