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I'd say get a job as soon as you can. Even if you only take a few hours at first and build from there, it's worth it. You'll meet great people and you'll learn responsiblity. Supervisors are usually very flexible about scheduling around classes and extracurriculars. Plus who doesn't want to have a little extra money in her pocket? LOL.
And the job I started last year and will be returning to this year taught me time management...and they don't even know it. I knew when my classes and work hours were, so I could arrange around that for free time, homework, and any activities I wanted to do. My GPA went up a little bit both semesters from my freshman year (I worked freshman year, but my schedule was not as steady...it was almost a little too flexible, meaning I slacked a lot more than I should have). Not a drastic increase, but enough to know that I really could manage my time. I'm not saying you can't learn time management without a job, but since I had a steady schedule, it really helped me grasp the time thing.
It is normal to be nervous about going to college, but don't do what I saw some girls do and go home after the first weekend (yes I actually saw this happen freshman year). You need to stay at least one semester and see how things go for you. Everyone has rough times at some point in their freshman year and even throughout college. You won't know you don't like it until you stay awhile. Then after your first semester, if you really hate it, go ahead and transfer. But don't leave in the middle of the semester or at the very beginning. I just talked to an incoming freshman today who almost decided to not move in at all. Nervousness is normal. Don't let it get the best of you until you really have a feel for college life.
You can still have fun without getting drunk on the weekends. I know I did. I went bowling, visited a nursing home on Valentine's Day, went Christmas caroling, particpated in choir (which included a trip to Washington D.C.), and went on a campus ministry retreat. None of these events included alcohol and everyone still seemed to be enjoying themselves. Also, you will meet people who do not do the whole party thing. Not EVERYONE does it. I met a good amount of people who do not party and didn't seem to have any regrets about not doing so. I am 21 now and while I will be going out a bit more on weekends for drinks, I know I won't be going out all the time and it's not all there is to do with your friends. I actually want to remember college, and I don't want to be in a position where I don't have stories to tell b/c I was out drinking all the time. I didn't have any alcohol while I was underage, and my life was easier that way. I didn't have to worry about coming back to the dorm and getting busted...I didn't have to wonder how I could sneak alcohol past the RAs...I just felt better about myself by not drinking.
Only go out when you have the extra money to do so. It's common sense really and I know you'll be thinking your life will be boring, but you can't spend money you don't have. ATMs can be death if you withdraw too much from your account. Only withdraw cash when you absolutely have to and if you spend it all before you want to go out on the weekend, your best bet is to stay in for a movie night or something.
Hmmm...I think that's all I have to say that hasn't already been said.
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