[ASTalumna06]

1.) Be somebody else. If you weren't happy with who you were in high school, then change it. This is the perfect opportunity to do so. No one knows you. It's like you get to start life all over. And now you're older and more mature. If you were shy, be outgoing. If you were the girl who dressed all in black but you want to try being a bit more "girly", wear a nice shirt and a skirt to class. It's your chance to be different.

2.) Selling back books. It's been said before, but there are usually a good portion of books that the bookstore will not buy back for a significant amount of money. Usually, it's not over half the amount that you originally paid for it. And as a general rule, you'll receive more money for a math or science book (and sometimes language), as opposed to a history or english book. And again, these amounts will drop dramatically if the book is not being used the next semester. And on some campuses, it might be a good idea to post fliers of the books you're selling in academic buildings and dorms. Sell them to students for under the asking price of the bookstore. You'll make more of a profit than if you sold them to the bookstore, and people will obviously be more willing to buy a slightly used book from you for $50, than from the bookstore for $75.

3.) Meet people. My freshman year, I still had a bf from high school who was going crazy because I was now living 600 miles away. He would call ALL the time and would get pissed if I didn't have my cell phone on me. I spent a good portion of my time talking to him, and or despising the girls that were on my dorm floor. Say goodbye to the attached bf and get involved with other activities on campus that will get you out of your dorm room. Meet other people that you may never have talked to. Also, DON'T GO HOME EVERY WEEKEND. You miss out on so much. That is the one reason I was glad I went to a school so far away from home.

3.) Keep track of absences and grades. While you should try not to be absent at all from classes, it does happen. Some professors are more understanding than others when it comes to this. And they will penalize you for missing too many. Keep a list of your classes and how many you've missed. I personally had an Excel spreadsheet with all my classes. For each one, I recorded how many absences I had, and all of my grades for homework, quizzes, and tests. This way you know how you're doing in each class.

4.) Make friends with the computer nerds. Because when something goes wrong with your computer (and it will happen), they're going to be the ones you turn to. And don't be afraid to go to the computer center on campus and ask questions.