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You are going to mess up -- every freshman does. The difference between enjoying College and hating it is how you handle the speed bumps as you shift gears from high school bigwig to college newbie. College is the real world, my friend. Before you head out, digest these 20 realities about becoming collegiate, and decide for yourself whether your ride will be teeth-jarring or smooth sailing.

1. You will make mistakes. No one is perfect, and the sooner you realize roommates mess up, professors make errors, and resident assistants are not all-knowing, the sooner you'll tolerate your culture change. Being patient keeps you from misjudging others and gives you peace of mind.

2. Your room is only so big. You'll save yourself frustration by bringing only what you need for your tiny Dorm room. Chances are, you'll relocate into a smaller space than you had at home, then split that with a roommate. Tip: Make a list of necessities, then cut it in half.

3. No one tells you to go to bed. Just because half of your hallmates party on Thursday night does not mean you have to. Freshmen get stuck with the early classes, and you won't get eight hours of sleep when you play video games until 3 a.m. and Expository Writing starts at 8:15. Don't let your brain cells go comatose from lack of shut-eye. Get enough sleep.

4. Jump in and join -- one club at a time. The variety of extracurricular activities at college boggles the mind. From fly-fishing to politics, campuses offer many choices. But too many interests may stifle your academic growth. Test the water with one or two clubs until you learn what kind of time investment you can afford.

5. Get to know your resident assistant (RA). Listen to Tracy Connelly, a junior and an RA at Clemson University (Clemson, SC). "It's in your best interest to get to know your RA," she says. "She or he can be your best friend. RAs usually are pretty decent people who are trained to be there for you."

6. Quiet time has a purpose. Noise is common on a college campus, and with that many people crammed into a dorm, the ruckus can get pretty loud. Quiet hours exist to help you identify good study times and catch up on sleep. Use them -- and remember that others use them too.

7. Privacy is a priceless commodity. Please knock first. Respect personal space. "I have no problem adjusting to a roommate," says Columbia, SC-native Matthew Jerdan, a graduate student at Clemson. "But once, without any consideration of me, my roommate's girlfriend began sleeping over every night. The situation was eventually handled, but I'm grateful now for every second of privacy I get."

8. Follow directions someone worked hard to create. Whether discussing computer security, parking restrictions, curfews, or registration periods, college instructions evolve from the experience of knowledgeable people who know what they are doing.

9. Expect new experiences. While you have great memories of home and high school, do not deny yourself the opportunity of the new friends and experiences of College life. Elisabeth Wilhelm, a freshman at Pratt University (New York, NY), mentions this sad situation. "A small-town Texas girl never made it to my campus. She flipped out in a taxi in Manhattan after flying for the first time. She was supposed to be my roommate," Elisabeth explains. "No one's going to hold your hand -- you have to figure stuff out for yourself. But, I would have helped her through it all. I came to New York from Germany!"1

10. Neighbors are your support network. Roommates and neighboring students can be lifesavers as well as great friends. Learn from them and their experiences without making so many mistakes of your own. Plus, having someone with whom you can share books, appliances, video games, and clothes will save you money.

11. So it's not how mom cooks it. Cafeteria food may not be mom's home cooking, but it's probably the healthiest meal you'll eat while attending college. Give it a chance.

12. Listen to the teacher. Pay attention, give a teacher respect, and the teacher can become a good mentor or life support for you -- and your grades. "The teachers still care if you pass or fail, and they will still bother you if you're not performing up to your full potential," reveals Ian McKenzie, a senior at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. "The only difference is you can drop them now."

13. Advisors know more than you think. Advisors assist you through the maze of classes and guide you into a Career that fits you best. Visit one as often as necessary to feel good about your academic direction.

14. Call the cops. Campus security exists for more than just crime. They can also escort you back to your room if you're out too late. Remember, they would rather you call them and not need them than the other way around.

15. Would your grandmother like to know you're doing that? Temptation abounds on a university campus. Give any new temptation the "grandmother test" and avoid trouble that may haunt you the rest of your life.

16. Hygiene makes more sense now. Clemson University sophomore Stephen Jerdan has a new interest in cleanliness after his  

freshman year

  at Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ). "After seeing people who skipped showers for days and forgot to brush their teeth for weeks, I've come to the conclusion that some people can be outright nasty," he says. "Hygiene means much more to me now."

17. Make time -- make a schedule. Post your class and exam schedules in plain view. Prioritize your days with an agenda or calendar. Your days get busy, and missing class can mean a whole letter grade deduction you can't afford. Create more free hours by managing your time.

18. The money tree dad always talks about just died. College is not cheap. Keep a reserve in case of academic need or personal emergency. When a book costs $75 and you only have $50 in your account, you learn the hard way that conservative spending is a necessity. School loans have to be repaid, and parents and guardians work hard to provide for your education. Manage your funds with common sense.

19. Ask for help. Ask for assistance from RAs, other students, advisors, or counselors. Sophomore Kristin Jacobs of Clemson University admits to struggling her first semester. "Everything isn't as easy as people make it out to be," she says. "I learned almost too late that professors aren't really out to get you, and that counselors are there to help. More often than not they will help you, as long as you take the first step and ask for it."

20. Call mom or dad. Calling home isn't a sign of weakness. Your family misses you more than you know. Call those who care about you to ask advice, catch up on news, or simply tell them you love them. Everyone feels better when you do -- especially you.

College represents loads of fun and work on a new level. Learn to balance responsibility and recreation with these simple rules, and you'll coast through the challenge.

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