Eat Right
It's so tempting to eat junk food all day when you're at college. For many students, this is their first time away from home, and the first time they can really choose their own meals. Because of this freedom, too often meals consist of pizza, soda, and candy. To feel great and ensure that you're working at your peak, you need to fuel your body right. Don't skip meals, and make sure that you're eating balanced meals. This isn't to say that you can't indulge once in a while, but try to limit your fast food and candy to once a week.
Sleep Enough
For many freshman college students, the lack of sleep is what causes the most stress. Make sure that you're getting good sleep every night, even if it means not staying up late with your roommate or friends. Sure, you want to get to know everyone and have a good time, but if you sacrifice your sleep, you're going to sacrifice your education in the long run. If you have trouble getting up in the morning, consider leaving your mornings free of classes to allow you to get the sleep you need.
Avoid the Parties
You really don't need to hit every party that pops up in the first month of school. In fact, partying too much when school starts can lead to lack of sleep and make life more difficult for the remainder of the year. Don't go out and get drunk every night or even every weekend. At the very least, if you're under 21 and can't legally drink, you could get yourself in some major legal trouble. While it's good to meet people and see what campus life has to offer, it's not a good idea to party so hard that your school work suffers.
Meet New People
One of the best things about the college experience is that you have the chance to get to know people from all different types of backgrounds. It's not always easy to meet new people, but remember that during the first month of college, you're in the same boat as everyone else. You need to make new friends. Put yourself out there, even when it feels a little scary. Consider joining study groups or clubs around campus to make new friends. Remember, some of these people could be your best friends for the rest of your life.
The first month of college is stressful. You have new classes, a new area to get used to, and so much to do. Take care of yourself, get out and meet new people, and be cautious of your activities to ensure that the rest of your college career goes smoothly.
Image via Flickr by Veva Health
