For the Last Time.

Remember when I didn't update my "Fresh Advice from a FreshMAN" blog very often? Oh, wait. That wasn't too long ago.

I apologize for not updating this as much as I said I would. Or maybe I didn't say how much I would. Either way, I intended to write a new blog about once a month. Silly me. College is too busy for that. Can't believe I thought I'd have time for that. Hah. Just kidding. Sort of.

Either way, as a new class has graduated from high school, I figured it'd be beneficial to write out every bit of advice I can give to the latest incoming college freshman. So, here it is. Nuggets of wisdom from Gary Conachan.

1. Don't over commit yourself. Don't be afraid to say "no" to things. Only commit yourself to one or two things, especially at the beginning of your first year of college. It takes time to adjust, and whether you've been a good student or not, committing to a lot of things will hurt your grades. Trust me.

2. Stand up for what you believe in. Even at a Christian university (if that's where you're headed), it can be easy to go with the crowd and compromise values. If you don't feel comfortable with something, don't be afraid to voice your opinion and make it known. I regret not doing this more.

3. Whatever you do end up being involved in, make sure it is something you enjoy and are truly passionate about. It's better to give your best to one or two things than it is to give partial effort to a myriad of things.

4. Utilize calendars and planners. Mapping out reading, homework, and deadlines helped me out a lot. It helped me keep track of the work I had ahead of me without getting too overwhelmed. Plus, being a guy, it allowed me to focus on one thing at a time. Not trying to stereotype, but it helped me a ton to do it this way.

5. Make the most of every moment. As cliche as it sounds, it could not be any less true. Freshman year flies by incredibly fast, and from what I've heard, so does all of college. You don't want to look back on your four years having regrets, do ya?

6. Communication, communication, communication. Make sure to communicate to your roommate(s) exactly how you feel (with some wisdom, of course), what responsibilities need to be shared, what expectations you have, and so on. This is the best way to minimize later conflict.

7. Even if you are not working during your first year of college, if you have any kind of money at all (graduation money?), plan out your expenses for the semester or even for the entire school year. Just 'cause you received a ton of graduation money does not mean it will last you forever. It vanishes... fast. Make sure to keep a savings of $500 to $1000. After all, Dave Ramsey says you should do it. So why not? Something could happen to where you need that money you saved up!

8. Have a blast! Your freshman year will surely be the best year of your life (so far). Don't take yourself, others, or life too seriously. Make sure to get out and have fun. Although academics are important, you need to enjoy yourself too. College is about 50% academics, 50% social life. Or something like that. Either way, don't lock yourself up in the library 24/7.

Well, there it is!

Congratulations, Class of 2012! I'm proud of you guys!

End of the Semester.

First off, I would like to apologize for my inconsistency as far as blogging goes. As you probably know (or have heard), college life can get pretty busy sometimes, so there came a point where I quit blogging for a while. However, now that the semester's over and I've been through my first round of college finals, I'd like to reflect and give you some pointers.

When it comes to finals, make sure to begin studying for them at least a week ahead of time, and try to study for each subject for a considerable amount of time each day before the final. You'll want to study more for the finals that are coming up sooner, but you'll still want to give each subject some study time every day. Studies have shown that studying materials over a long period of time will help you retain the information better.

As for other pointers, make sure to get lots of sleep and eat well (heck, just make sure you're eating). Proper hydration will also help boost your mental clarity and focus, thus improving your test scores.

A lot of college can't be known until you experience it. However, as far as finals go, that is about as much as I can tell you (and think of) for now.

Whether you're still in the college search or in the middle of your freshman year like I am, you can always keep these tips in mind as you go throughout your journey.

That's it for now. Happy New Year's!