When making the transition from high school to college, things can get quite confusing and overwhelming. College is a very different experience from high school, and it’s important that students start off on the right foot. Here are 5 tips and tricks every student should know, and that I wish I had known when I started my freshman year at Farmingdale State College.

1.) Go to the campus at least 1 week ahead before school starts to see where your classes are located.
By doing this, you will save yourself a lot of embarrassment and time during your first week of classes. Often times, the first thing students struggle with is finding their classes, especially if their campus is big. It’s also embarrassing and awkward when you walk into class late on the first day, so this is a neat trick to avoid that. Plus, you can’t pick your seat for the rest of the semester if you walk in late!

2.) Join clubs and teams that interest you.
If it’s hard for you to make friends in your classes, then joining a club or a team can be a great help. By doing so, you will automatically place yourself in a pool of people who have the same interests as you. It’ll be easy for you to talk to these people since you have common interests with them. These people will probably be the friends that you have for the rest of your life. If you can’t find a club or a team that suits your interests, start one! Every college has an option of starting something. Talk to your Student Activities advisor about what your options are.

3.) Get your paperwork done ahead of time.
You’ll already be stressed out to the max when you receive syllabuses, due dates, projects, and presentations all in the first week of classes. So you want to make sure that you don’t have unnecessary stress. Getting all your paperwork for things like immunization, financial aid, and more done ahead of time will ease a lot of your tension during the first week.

4.) Save money with student discounts.
College students have always been struggling with their finances. Let’s admit it, it’s hard to juggle money for school, personal expenses, and your social life. However, from small companies to large companies, like Apple, you can find student discounts almost anywhere. More and more places are offering student discounts on memberships, products, and subscription services. Not only online, but some local stores and restaurants may also have discounts. Be sure to do your research and check out the area around your college to see where you can get discounts and save money!

5.) Take advantage of your school’s resources.
The next four years of college are not going to be easy, but nothing in life is handed to you without some hard work. You’re going to need some help along the way, and that’s when your school’s resources come in handy. If you’re struggling with a certain subject, are having difficulty writing a paper, or even need help preparing for that big interview, chances are that someone somewhere at the school can help you. Find out if and where your school has a tutoring center, writing center, and career center. These resources are usually free of charge and are there to help the students be successful in their college career, along with preparing them for their future beyond college. Don’t hesitate or be too shy to ask for help, because it will help you go a long way!