Approximately 70 percent of college applicants get accepted into their first choice college. Ever wonder how they do it? The answer is simple: they made an effort. And you can too! All you have to do is follow these four easy steps:

Most of the following suggestions are interchangeable between the freshman and sophomore years. The key is to start early.

t’s an exciting but sad day. When you pack the stuff in your room at home to take to your new home - college. As simple as this seems it is quite a challenging process. I have seen plenty of students’ rooms overflowing with junk that will never be used, as well as several students who have had to borrow everything from their roommate or new neighbors. You don’t want to be on either end of that continuum, but somewhere in the middle. Space is usually at a premium, so efficiency is the goal.

Finding success takes preparation and planning. With the right tools to keep you organized and on schedule, you're already half-way there!

The time has come for new and returning college students to begin shopping for the dorms. This can be such a fun time for any student. It can also be a little overwhelming at times. There is so much needed for the dorm or a student apartment.

After leaving my college dorm called Chrysostom Hall, I decided to venture off into the main campus area, where I was to meet a large number of other students filtering through the stair cases & walking in various directions. I was excited to finally meet the many new faces, & college personalities on campus especially the veteran students that have had knowledge of the physical things to do there at Manhattan College & all the cool places to become more actively involved with.

It's August, the time of shopping from school supplies and updating wardrobes, but for college freshmans it's more like moving on to a whole new era in life so the usual tweaks in clothing and bookbag materials just aren't going to cut it. One things both parents and new college students should remember is that they shouldn't go overboard. It's a classic mistake that you look back on and realize just how many things you could have done differently, but rarely do people mention them. Well, I will, and this list is from personal experience.

1) Command Strips and Hooks
Great for making use of vertical space and for decorating without nails or tape that can fall down or leave residue, 3M Command Strips and Hooks come in a variety of shapes and sizes designed for a myriad of purposes. Use the strips to hang posters, photos, and whatever else you like securely and without being fined for damages. Hooks can save you closet space by providing places to hang coats, hoodies, hats, towels, and scarves anywhere you have room. You can even use them to organize necklaces or keep organized by hanging keys and other important items where you know you'll be able to find them. 3M also makes a variety of more specialized hangers, including picture and frame hangers, cord organizers, and water resistant adhesives that can be used in the bathroom, if you're lucky enough to have one.

Before you know it, college arrives in a flash and you probably ask yourself, "Is this really happening?" Your parents are more than excited to see you leaving and starting a new journey. I experienced this with my dad and to this day I still sit back and say wow, I'm really here.

As you enter college, pay attention again to everything that has ever interested you through your life. Interest is talent. Interest may even be divine direction. Interest may point toward your real future. Grab this amazing opportunity to see where your interests might lead… even if they don’t fit neatly into your anticipated major.