Going away to college is an exciting time. You're ready to live in on your own, make some new friends, and get a true "college experience." To do this, while still making the grades to continue your education, can be tough since you will be without your parents' guidance while you're away at school. A balance is achievable, however, if you take things slow and think about your choices.
Social Life
A bountiful social life often contributes the most to your college experience, because after all, that's why everyone considers college some of the best years of your life! There's almost always something going on when you're on a college campus, so you probably wont be bored. Here's some things to make sure you try out:

Sporting Events- Does your school have a football or basketball team? Show your school spirit by dressing accordingly and cheering on your team! Get your friends together and try to set up a tailgate beforehand- tailgating is one of my favorite things about football season.
Greek Life- Some say that Greek Life isn't for everyone, but I personally think there is a fraternity or sorority for everyone, whether it be a social organization or a philanthropic organization. Put the stereotypes aside and try to find a group of people with similar interests to yours...you'll have an instant group of friends! Even if you find Greek Life really isn't your thing, try out one of their parties or other social gatherings anyway. They can be pretty fun!
Major-Related Clubs- Almost every major out there has some sort of society or organization of members interested in that major! For example, I am an Industrial Design major, and I am part of IDSA (Industrial Designers Society of America). We have design movie nights, t-shirt screen printing parties, and many more events that cater to our interests as Industrial Designers! Plus, you can gain some contacts for when you enter the workforce in the future.
Other Clubs- Did you play lacrosse in high school? Try playing on your school's club lacrosse team. Perhaps you just love finding cheap dates to go on (college students have to get thrifty!) There are clubs for you too! Remember, there are people just like you at your college because for some reason, you all chose the same school! There's something you have in common right there. Be sure to be fearless when it comes to finding your niche in a social organization.
Schoolwork
The dreaded, the dreary...the homework. Yes, you still have homework in college. I was disappointed too. However, we need to remember that the point of college is to gain an education. Plus, if you don't do so hot on your schoolwork, you could get kicked out and that's definitely when the party stops. So if you want good grades, follow this advice.

DO YOUR WORK AHEAD OF TIME. Yes, that was in all caps because it's vital. If you put your work off, you will never do it. Either that, or you will start it last minute, stay up all night to finish the work, and then miss a club meeting or a party because you passed out around 3PM. I'm telling you this stuff because it's happened to me. So don't procrastinate, do your work as soon as possible, and then you will be able to have all the fun you want. Doesn't that sound nice?
Tutoring. When you notice you're not quite understanding the material in a class, immediately check out the tutoring services. Most colleges have free tutoring on campus so sign up for as many sessions as you can until you fully understand the material. You will definitely thank yourself when you do well on your next test!
Study Groups. I'm going to sound like a nerd here, but study groups can actually be fun. They can even fit a bit of your social life into your study life. Just find a couple friends in your class, set up a time, and find a group table at the library. Having some of your peers there is helpful because they can explain things they way you can understand them. The library is also a great place for an last-minute group study session, because you might just find some of your friends there, struggling with the same material.
Talk to your professors. Don't be just another face in the lecture hall. Ask questions. Talk to your professor after class. It certainly can't hurt your grade to get to know your professor. They also have required office hours...visit them during these times if possible! You will certainly brighten their day if you come with bright, promising questions and comments.
Don't EVER give up. Giving up won't help you. You may be sick of a class. Maybe you just can't take one more second of calculus or literature. Just think about this: your class doesn't last forever. You probably only have anywhere from a couple months, to weeks, to DAYS left when this happens. So stick through the course and if you pass with a sufficient grade, you NEVER have to take the class again! It sounds great, doesn't it?
A Balanced Life
A few important things to try to keep up with to lead a balanced, college lifestyle.

Keep a calendar- write everything you want to do that month down in a huge calendar and schedule your time, so that way a huge test doesn't pop out of nowhere. Most of the time, professors give you a syllabus that list test and project dates. Write these down immediately! You'll be able to keep track of your time better.
Don't bite off more than you can chew. There might be a ton of things happening at once on your college campus. That being said, don't sign up for all of them. For example, it is probably difficult to play on a sports team, be in a fraternity, have a part-time job, and be a full-time student all at once. If you can live a balanced life with that many activities, more power to you. But if you can't, don't try it. It's better to start slow and get more involved in activities once you know exactly how much time you have to devote to an activity.
At the same time, don't stress yourself out. When you feel like you have come to a breaking point, take a break. Do whatever calms you down, and make sure to enjoy yourself so that when you do need to return to your busy schedule, you can do so for awhile. Perfection is not necessary but you don't want to neglect your responsibilities so much that you regret it.


Surviving your freshman should not be too hard as long as you find a healthy balance between your social life and school life. It's difficult to attain but well-worth the benefits.