10 Things Every Girl Should Know Before She Goes to College

College is a lot of fun, don’t get me wrong. But there are also some things that will make your experience there much more pleasurable and much easier. The 10 tips below will provide you with the essential knowledge to succeed in college, and for life beyond it. Follow these steps, and there's no way you won't be ready for this next chapter in your life!

1. You are going to make mistakes.

Yes, college is a special time in your life. It’s the time when you can make all of the mistakes you want! You will make mistakes. You will probably make quite a few of them, in fact.

Most people don’t even know the extent to which they are messing up until it’s too late; they say or do things they later regret and never technically apologize for. Don't let this be you! After making a mistake, figure out why you did what you did, learn what went wrong and avoid it next time.

Once you're on the right track, things will slow down and you will become more confident. You’re not alone in making mistakes, and if nothing else, learning from them will make you a better person.

2. Don't feel bad if you don't get into the college for which you applied.

If you were rejected by the school for which you applied, refer to tip 1 (above), it won't be your fault! You didn’t apply to all colleges because of their low admission rates.

Also, don’t blame yourself if this is your first time applying to college or just taking that step into higher education. It’s okay to consider applying to several colleges; there are many more out there than you think.

Also, if it turns out you didn’t get into the college for which you applied, don’t be afraid to apply again! You can do it — and the next time you will probably get in!

3. Get familiar with all of your classes before school starts.

The first couple of weeks after college starts are going to be pretty full; it’s not a good idea to try to cram everything in without getting a taste of what it's like here. You will get it together eventually, but if you wait until December to start getting acquainted, you will be so busy that you won’t even remember what all the classes are about, let alone how to get around campus. If your classes are going to be more than a week apart, make sure that you can meet in person during the week for some early preparation.

4. Don't worry about making friends.

Most people who go off to college don't make any new friends (in fact, this is often referred to as "going away") and those that do usually find new friends quickly enough. Friendship isn't something you can force, so don't get frustrated if you're alone in the beginning.

You will make friends that's just how it goes but it won't happen to you immediately. Don’t worry about making friends during orientation; just focus on getting accustomed to campus life, your classes and everything else. If you make friends quickly, great! If not, that's okay too!

5. Do the things you used to love before college starts.

If you're anything like me, by the time September rolls around, you are going to be in dire need of a break from all of your responsibilities and activities before school starts. Even though it might seem like you have free time right now, I can guarantee that you don't. Get out all of your stuff that you used to love doing and start using it again. Start being friends with the kids that you were friends with before college starts.

Go for runs, go shopping, read a book whatever it is that makes you feel better and reduces stress. It's going to take a lot to get you back into the frame of mind to study for a test when all you've been doing is partying and having fun; make sure that part of your life isn't entirely neglected!

6. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

If you're struggling with something, don't be afraid to ask for help. Don't assume that you can do everything on your own and worry about how much trouble it will cause whenever someone raises an eyebrow at you in the middle of a class. If you want to ask somebody, like me, they will usually respond by talking to you about whatever it is that's bugging you.

I'm not saying that everybody is going to do this but they usually will! If they don't, then chances are they're just being rude or uncaring and it won’t get any better if you keep complaining. Once again if someone doesn't offer assistance, don’t take it personally.

7. Get involved in activities.

While you’re at college, try to do as many things as you can — consider this your free pass for being active! Don't be afraid to participate in something new and go out of your way to get involved; you're here for four years, so there’s no rush! Even if it doesn't seem like much or you don't think that it will be fun, go with the flow.

There are so many random clubs and groups on campus that offer opportunities for doing the things you never even knew existed; before you know it, something will catch your eye. Find an activity that works best with your schedule and your interests, and see where it takes you.

8. Move in with your roommates.

Once you've spent some time on campus and gotten used to everything, it's time to move in with your new roommates! Of course, moving in isn't going to completely fix all of the issues you're having. But, who said that college lived up to high school expectations?

If you're having trouble going to class or dealing with other students, perhaps living with a roommate will help. The best part is that it's likely going to have the same effect and help you adjust quicker; things are much more comfortable when they’re already familiar!

9. Get a job and work hard.

If, by some chance, all of the tips I’ve given you have worked and you're doing great, then all that it's left for you to do is get a job. You are not going to magically become a genius overnight just because you attended college! College prepares us for the real world; if we didn’t learn it in school, we will learn it at the jobs that we'll be taking after we graduate. If you're completely lost as to how to find a job and/or how to get paid for one, don't worry about it; ask around for any help that you need.

10. Enjoy your time in college.

If you haven't already, now is the best time to enjoy college! The reason why so many people are stressed out about "doing school" and how much it may or may not affect their future is because of the uncertainty that comes with being in college.

Most of us have never been on our own before and have never been out of home for a long period of time; so, naturally, a lot of us feel lost, alone and confused, but it's okay! Take some time to get used to everything at your own pace and do whatever you can to make it as easy as possible on yourself.

This is the last thing that I’m going to say, so promise me you'll read all of it. College, like high school, is just a part of life that we must all go through but it doesn't have to be a part of your life that's miserable. The main point here is to adjust yourself and make sure that you are comfortable in college. Trust me, it will get better!