So this semester (for some) of college is drawing to a close very slowly. In fact, coming up this next week for me are my finals already.

With that being said, I'd like to give everyone some advice on some things I learned my first semester of college. I've already posted this on my tumblr (twice, actually), but I would like to recycle this post because I feel it has some important information for those that might be starting their first year of college, or for those that didn't pick up on some of these things in their own first year. I've also added to the list, a bit.

So, here we go: Things I learned my first year of University:

LIVE ON CAMPUS

If you can, always live on campus your first year. I transferred from community college for my first year because I didn't have money to go to university my freshman year. By then, I had already acquired quite a lot of credits and wasn't able to go into a freshman community dorm. I regret it, because that's the one thing I missed out on and regret every single moment of: Freshman communities. The freshman halls are made for a reason. Take advantage of them. It's where you'll meet your best buddies and worst enemies for the years to come. Except in college enemies are pretty easy to ignore... Anyway, it's a great way to get involved. The doors are always open in the halls. It's an overall amazing experience. I haven't heard one upperclassman I know who regretted living in a freshman community. In fact, most of my friends want to rewind back to that year or live in their frosh hall again.

TRY NOT TO MISS CLASS

Sure, miss it now and again. But, in most cases: attendance counts. Which is something most high school teachers say professors don't care about. However, most professors want to give you some points for showing up to help boost your grade along, and it can really help pull your grade up in the end if you're struggling, too. It may not do too much but it's worth it in the long run.

TRY NOT TO SKIP

If you're running late, don't skip. I'm not saying don't skip now and again—just like missing class—because I think missing is healthy in some cases. It can also be stressful, however. But showing up late is better than nothing, in all honesty. Usually, if an attendance sheet is passed around, you can get it at the end of class and sign it anyway. That way you still get counted as present. So, again, it's worth it.

ALWAYS BE PREPARED TO TAKE NOTES

Some teachers don't lecture. Some teachers just put up power points and expect you to know it. Some teachers expect you to read the book and know everything. Some teachers go off on hour-long tangents they believe relate to the subject. Always take notes. Try and analyze your notes later, or rewrite them and make the more organized, as well. Also, yes, pop quizzes are a thing in college.

READ THE TEXTBOOK

Yeah, you honestly don’t use them too much, but I will tell you, the text books give you a perspective not found in lecture. And if you’re not going to read it, at least skim the book because it will benefit you in some way or another. Also remember, renting and online versions are always an option.

KEEP YOUR TEXTBOOKS

If you’re in a major where information is often recycled, you should consider keeping your textbook. Like my major, biology, for example. Everything connects, information is always recycled. It’s expensive, I know, and textbooks suck and you feel like you’re wasting money...but try and keep some of the textbooks. Selling them back isn’t always worth it. You don’t even get half of what you paid for majority of the time.

GET INVOLVED

I know, everyone says it, it sound stupid and repetitive—but find a little club you like. Whether it’s big, exclusive, a sport, or a club you make on your own or anything in between—join something! It’s a good way to meet friends and get involved. Of course, don’t let it overrun you. You have other responsibilities than the club, which is simply an extracurricular activity. But I can assure you, it’s fun. I was in my school’s Korean club for a while (before bullying got the best of my former roommates, who are from South Korea, and I got tired of the racism from other Koreans...so we all left) and it was a great learning experience and a great way to do something on a Friday afternoon.

MAKE SURE TO GET SLEEP

Seriously, it’s a huge thing. Sleep. You need to retain that information from the studying. You’re going to burn yourself out if you keep pulling all-nighters or not taking naps. The body works best on two increments of 4-hours sleep schedules rather than a full drawn-out 8-hour one...so if that’s what you end up doing, do it! Because sleep is important to your education and health!

TAKE CLASSES FOR FUN

Don’t burn yourself out with your major. Some “fun” classes also fill credit requirements for graduation sometimes, as well. If you have too many major/minor courses, you’re not going to be able to remember everything (especially in, for example, biology, where everything connects and overlaps). It’s just going to be way too much to take in.

GET A MEAL PLAN

Don’t be that asshole that doesn’t have a meal plan and asks their friends with the highest meal plan for food every week. When it’s toward the end of the week, sure, I want to share with you, because they don’t rollover. But if you’re asking for food on a Monday or Tuesday, you’re just mooching, and you’re a dick (sorry, I’ve had experience with this and I got pretty fed up with it). Know how much you can eat, though, before you get a meal plan! I recommend the meal plan in the middle of the lowest and highest number of meals per week. If you don’t eat, you don’t function. But don’t assume just because you eat a lot you can get the highest meal plan. Sometimes you’ll find the food on campus isn’t the greatest and your appetite isn’t as large as you’d previously thought it was while living at home. And sometimes meal plans don’t rollover to the next week. It’s a set number. So don’t waste your money if you really don’t eat a lot. But don’t get so little food that you’ll starve. But meal plans are great to even get snacks and such around campus, not just “meals” and it ensures that you actually remember to eat.

TRY TO EAT HEALTHY

Even if you just grab a banana or orange or a quick salad to go—do it. Trust me. So much intake of food without much flavoring, no matter how healthy it’s advertised to be, is going to wear down your immune system. I used to constantly get sick.

STUDY

I’m serious. You did well in high school not studying, but once you get to college, it’s not going to be as easy. And it only gets more difficult as you get into higher numbered classes. Find a study technique that works for you. Try out new techniques. Don’t give up just because you failed your first test and the way in which you studied is the only way you know how. Ask for help, ask for advice, take advantage of tutoring and go to review sessions, and just, again, find something that works for you. Color code things, use sticky notes, highlight important aspects. Make study guides, too, or mock-tests. And try teaching other people what you’ve learned.

REVISE AND REWRITE YOUR NOTES

This is seriously my favorite thing to do, because I like to make my notes pretty. I color code my notes based on key words, topics, headings, or sub-topics of the concepts. I put questions in my notes that, as I'm reviewing them, allows me to think about what I'm studying and looking over. Plus, there's something about the way our mind works that, when we rewrite things we've written before, helps engrave it into our brain.

GO TO FOOTBALL GAMES

Or any school event. You may not like football, or a specific event, but it’s a great atmosphere and it’s a nice way to spend time with friends.

CALL HOME

It’s a huge stress-reliever at times, talking to your parents or siblings. It may just help ease some anxiety you have. Texting doesn't always cut it. Skype, too—that's even better!

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

International students on campus often put on events through their respective clubs or dorms. Go to these things if you have a chance. Take it from me, I lived with two South Koreans: They work hard to make it good for you and to teach you about their country, so go learn about it. It’s fun, there may be food involved, you meet new people, and it’s an easy way to immerse yourself in a new culture.

MAKE FRIENDS WITH INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

This is usually a way to create great lifelong friendships. Having lived with my former roommates, I know this much: They’re shy, they’re scared. They think Americans don’t like them. Americans think they don’t like us because of the habit they have to stick to themselves or to their own. They do that because of some of our stereotypes. So be the one to break the silence and approach them first. And no matter what—don’t make fun of them! If it’s lighthearted teasing of friends, okay; but don’t make fun of their appearance, their dialect, or anything of the sorts because it’s very hurtful to them. You want to make them remember the country as a place they enjoyed being in and want to return to.

MANAGE YOUR TIME

I suck at it and don’t know how. I don’t know how to manage my time or stress (mainly how to take breaks from studying or homework), so I often let things get the better of me. Always take breaks. Snack breaks, video game breaks, reading breaks. Do something that is stress-relieving and makes you happy. Because you don’t want to hate school, it will change your entire attitude and performance. So make sure you study, break, eat, sleep, and have fun. Also, try to finish everything before a due date. It gives you more free time and it eases stress.

DON'T TOUCH DOGS ON CAMPUS—SERIOUSLY

Dogs are a common thing on college campuses. Don’t touch them. No matter what, do not touch a dog without permission. That’s standard etiquette for anyone who wants to pet a dog. But on college campuses, more often than not: the dogs are service animals. Meaning they are working, or in training to work. It’s stressful for the owners and the dog if you run up to them excited to see a puppy, trying to touch them. Don’t do this. This dog is working. It’s employed. Just don’t touch them without permission. And if the owner says no—do not act offended about it. It’s not your dog in the first place, it’s not your place to decide whether you should touch the animal or not.

JOIN A FRATERNITY OR SORORITY

Keep in mind, this is coming from someone who isn't in one. Not one of the party ones, though. Or maybe, it’s up to you. But do know that those aren’t all that’s available. There are a lot of sororities and fraternities that are dry, meaning there’s no alcohol involved and they’re mainly focused on business and/or community service of sorts. It’ll look good on your resume, so try it out if you can find one.

BE CIVIL WITH YOUR ROOMMATES

You’re living with them for a year. You may not like them, but try to get along. Try to settle things on your own if you don't get along before going to anyone in charge, because that might cause a bigger rift.

MAKE FRIENDS WITH A CLASSMATE

Even if just for that semester. You may miss class and need notes or help. You may need to go to a study group. But make friends. Or just acquaintances. But try to talk to your seat partner or people who sit around you, or whoever you're working with in lab. Get their number if you can. Even students that are about to graduate still need study buddies sometimes, so don't be afraid of age or year gaps, either.

DON'T THINK EVERYTHING TAUGHT IN HIGH SCHOOL ACCOUNTS FOR COLLEGE

Honestly, it doesn’t. I was told you could never show up late to class, couldn’t turn in late homework, etc, etc. Honestly, it depends on the professor what you can and can’t do. There are some that are seriously strict (I have a bio professor who kicked students out of lecture for talking while she was talking) and there are some who aren’t. So familiarize yourself with the syllabus, try to ask questions to your professor after class and get a better feel for them. Also, asking questions is good anyway. But honestly...college doesn’t care. You’re an adult, you need to put your big girl-or-boy panties on and take care of yourself. They’re not going to always bug you about things like in high school or remind you of due dates. Sometimes professors will bring it up in passing, sometimes they won’t. Sometimes they might even remind you of such things. But the best bet is to make sure you know your syllabi inside-out.

If you read this super-long post all the way through, I wish any of you whose semester is almost over luck on your finals! Or, if you're planning on starting college after this summer...well, good luck to you and maybe keep some of these points in mind.