Having finished a semester of college at Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, there are a few nuggets of wisdom I feel I should share with the upperclassmen. So sit down, relax and soak it up, you little sponge.

1. College is very much what you make it. You are about to be given a very special opportunity. For the first time, you will be given the chance to recreate yourself. Do you want to be a scholar? More social? More adventurous? You can mold and shape yourself with the activities and people you meet in college. This, of course, is a two-way street. You will have a lot of free time, and the key is to find the best way to spend it in order to maximize your success. It will be tempting to lay in your dorm and waste the hours away live-tweeting your complaints on the weather or on how much work you’re not going to do. Don’t do it. Go out, and find yourself.

2. Study. Listen, I personally did not study until I got to college. I would show up to tests, cross my fingers, say a prayer and hope for the best. This is not a good plan in college. You will find that it helps you to take advantage of the study sessions or office hours that most professors will offer you. Go with your friends and make an event of it. You’ll find that you will discuss topics brought in class and extracurricular activities, allowing you to gain knowledge without the stress and monotony of actually studying. However, don’t just rely on group studying. Open the book, read the chapters, look at your notes. It will help.

3. When college gives you free food, take it. Regardless of your background, whether you have rich parents, poor parents, generous parents or stingy parents, you will find yourself strapped for cash. You will crave the Whataburger and P. Terry’s you’ve become accustomed to while in Cedar Park. If you can curb these cravings and save some money in the process, do it. College clubs love to offer free food to get you to join. Take their food, give ‘em a few minutes of your time and meet someone. There will likely be many students flocking to the same table as you with similar interests. Make some friends, eat some food and experience what college is really about.

So remember, college is what you make it. I can’t guarantee that these points will perfect your college experience, but they will take a majority of the stress away from your day-to-day life. That’s all I have for you, little ones. Be excellent to each other, stay classy and party on.

*Martin Driskill was a 2013 graduate of CPHS. He was also a photographer and staff writer for The Wolfpack.