So you're fresh off the plane and ready to start college life.  What should you expect?  What should you do?  What should you be careful of?  How do you know what's safe and what's not?

Most of you probably have many friends in college who have come back over the summer and told you about all the exciting things they've done in college.  It might be as simple as pulling two all-nighters in a row, or as exciting as going clubbing for the first time.  But how do you get into the whole college fray?  It's hard to describe, but there are some tips and tricks on how to live your college life.

Your first dorm experience

Your freshman dorm is probably one of the first places you will be making friends.  Your dorm is not like a typical apartment in the city.  It is a unique place where you can hang around with your friends all day long if you so wish.  It is not unusual for most people to leave their doors open while they study or socialize with their friends.  This may seem somewhat unusual but it creates a sense of openness, allowing you to try hanging out with a wide variety of people.  The most important tip here is to interact with as many people in the dorm as you can as early on as possible.  After the first month, you already have distinct friend networks developing, and you will feel awkward as you try to navigate your way into one of these cliques, so it's important that you find a place where you fit in.

Alcohol abuse

    As illegal as it may be, some of you will consume alcohol.  Please be forewarned that drinking alcohol is against the law and subject to consequences if you are caught, and this website by no means endorses such activities.  However, in the presence of such acts, you will probably want to know how to behave to stay safe.
    One of the most dangerous college activities that has led to the death of countless teenagers is binge drinking.  Often, due to peer pressure, you end up drinking more than you realize and soon enough you will have passed out, or be incapacitated in some way.  While peer pressure is one of the biggest reasons this happens, you can stay out of using several tactics.

• If you just do not want to drink period
• Claim you're allergic to alcohol
• Pretend to drink by drinking something else (apple juice works well)
• Say you have an important commitment the next day
  
• If you want to drink but in moderation
• Make sure you know your limits before you go out
• Take a buddy with you who knows and will stay within his limits