Starting college feels like you need to have everything figured out. The reality is that most people don’t. Looking back on my experience, there are many things I wish someone had told me before coming to campus.

The academics are not just harder, but different. No one is checking on you. Professors are not going to remind you of every assignment. It is your responsibility to review the syllabus and ensure you have completed all assignments. You need to stay on top of deadlines yourself. Time management is everything in college. You have more free time, but also have more responsibilities. What you do with your time means everything. Not only do you have academics, but you also have to attend extracurriculars and athletics, and take care of your space and yourself. Studying in college is also very different. You cannot expect to study everything the day before a test, but many will try. College is about understanding, not just memorizing.

It is okay to not have it all figured out. Many students enter college stressed that they don’t know what they want to do at the end of the four years. This is very common and not something to worry about. Presbyterian College’s required general education classes expose students to a broad range of classes. Many students, after these classes, can figure out what area they want to go into. Many students also stress about their major choice. It is important to know that your major choice is not everything. You can major in one thing and go on to do something completely different. Your path can change, but there is a support staff on campus that will help you figure everything out. This being said, everyone’s path is different. Try not to focus on what others are doing. Focus on your own progress and your own goals.

Get involved early. Clubs and organizations can help you meet people and feel more involved in the community. Campus feels more like home when you are involved. You also don’t need to be involved in everything. Overloading yourself can lead to stress and burnout. Make sure that you are involved, but not trying to be in everything.

Take care of yourself. It is important to prioritize sleep. Sleeping is not optional. Lots of college students either sleep all day or don’t sleep at all. The best thing to do is to find a middle ground. Burnout is real, and waiting until you can’t go on taking care of yourself is not healthy. It is okay to take breaks. You don’t need to be productive every second of every day.

Overall, you don’t need to have everything figured out. Take on the opportunities that present themselves. Make time for yourself and prioritize your academics. And most importantly, give yourself grace. You are not going to be perfect, and that is okay, just do your best.