College can be scary, especially for incoming freshmen. It is a new campus, most are away from home for the first time and the classes, along with everything else, are very different than high school. 

These are just a few tips that might help freshman year go by a little smoother. 

Use a planner because class assignments and extracurriculars can make a person very busy. A planner will help keep everything organized and potentially a little less overwhelming. 

Studying is a necessity. Most students find that college courses are a lot different than high school. In high school it is common to not always have to study for a class, but in college, studying is necessary for every course. Tests are harder, and there is more work to be done for college classes. It is important to find a study method that works. 

Find a work or study spot on campus. It can be in the dorm, in the library, on the drill field, or any spot on campus. It is important to be in an area where it is comfortable and easy to get work done. 

Walk everywhere. Walking everywhere gives students exercise even on days when working out is not an option. Some classes may seem far away from each other, but eventually it will be easy to know which path to take to get there the quickest. Walking is quicker than taking the shuttle. The shuttles can sometimes be slow due to traffic on campus. However, the shuttles are great for days when it is pouring rain, freezing or both. 

Umbrellas and ponchos are a must have. In Mississippi, the weather is unpredictable. Somedays it is easy to tell it is going to rain, while others may not seem like it will rain, and all of a sudden it is pouring. Small umbrellas that can fit in a backpack are easier to carry. Ponchos are useful for keeping a backpack and everything inside it from getting soaked. 

Take advantage of everything free. A good number of free activities go on around campus, and it is a fun and easy way to save money.

Go to class. It is true that going to class will help better students’ grades. It may be tough to sit through a class that is not particularly interesting, but being in class is an easy way to ask the teacher questions or to hear explanations of the material. 

One tip that Society19, a website that gives numerous tips on how to survive college, mentions is to ask someone who has already been through a year or two of college. Upperclassmen are willing to pass on wisdom they wished they knew during their freshmen year. 

Search for professors. Rate My Professor is a commonly used website that allows students to search for the university they attend and professors at that university. If the professors have been rated, student reviews on them and their class will be available to read. 

One tip Popsugar, another site to find tips for surviving college, gives is to go to office hours. It is true. If you can’t make it to office hours, then go to any study sessions held by the professor or their Teaching Assistants before a test. If it is a class that is a little difficult, this is a great way to receive extra help on that subject. 

For more tips on what freshmen, or anyone, should know about college and how to survive it, go search for these sites online. Many of these tips are by students for students and can be very helpful.