Many high school grads think they're ready to run out the door and embrace the newfound freedom that comes with college, but with new roommates, friends and classes, leaving home might actually be a bit more intimidating than you think.
HuffPost Live's Caitlyn Becker got the scoop on how to navigate all those changes when she spoke with experienced upperclassmen to find out the best tips for starting your college career on the right foot.
Kendall Ciesemier, a Georgetown senior (and former HuffPost Live intern), reflected on her freshman year and how she made friends as a new student.
"I did a pre-orientation program. We went out in the community and did community service in D.C.," Ciesemier said. "It was a great way to meet people. So many of my best friends, still to this day, are from that program."
Harvard sophomore Eva Shang also participated in an on-campus program, but her experience was a bit more labor-intensive. She and her team were responsible for getting the dorms ready for move-in day.
"We bonded through our mopping and cleaning the bathrooms -- initiation to college the Cinderella way," Shang said.
Alex Meek, a senior at Miami University of Ohio, also joined the conversation and explained his "unforgettable" experiences with his new roommate.
"We just wanted to see the campus and talk to as many people as possible," he said. "You have no idea how to act normally, so you let everything go crazy."
Crazy dorm life, parties, and classes aside, perhaps it's most helpful to remember that every other incoming freshman is just as nervous as you are.
"I would say to just breathe and hang in there," Drew University senior Ben Shaefer said. "You might seem alone at first, but everyone is going through the same position as you."
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