College survival: Toto edition

I'm coming to the end of my first year at the University of Texas at Austin (HOOK EM) and let me tell you, it all feels like a blur. So I wanted to give some advice to soon to be college freshman:

• BE BOLD! You aren't going to be around the people that you've grown up with and had in the same class since kindergarten. All it takes is turning to the person sitting next to you in class and introducing yourself and who knows! You may have just met your future best friend or soul mate. Also, don't limit the people you meet to the normal "type" of person you're friends with. Branch out! It's amazing the things you'll learn about yourself and the world just from meeting different kinds of people. The amount of times I've been passing someone and wanted to compliment them on something they were wearing is crazy. And after every time I wish I had.
• Still call your parents! Yeah, yeah, I know, "But I'm a grown up now! I don't need to call my mommy!" Yes. You do. I'm not saying sit in your room every night chatting with them instead of meeting other people (see above tip). Just check in with them every week or so. It will make the very abrupt and weird change from seeing each other everyday to seeing them every few months much easier for everyone involved. 
• No matter what town your college is in, get off campus sometimes! I happen to live in the beautiful, vibrant town of Austin, Texas and I didn't do this nearly enough. It's so easy to just do things on campus because there's always something going on. However, you should always experience the place where you live. There's always new, exciting things to do right outside the university walls!
• In between all of the events, campus and otherwise, that you'll be doing; make time for yourself! College is stressful! If you don't have a night for just you, Netflix, and a large pizza you will go crazy. It's so important to not run yourself down because if you do that then nothing will get done and you won't enjoy the crazy experience that is college. 

That's all the wisdom (that's right I said wisdom) that I have for you lucky incoming freshman. Honestly, just be true to yourself and you'll be fine. College is supposed to fun behind all of that studying.

XOXO
Toto