Starting college can be a confusing time for anyone. For the first time in your life, you are on your own. There is no one making sure you get your work done and stay out of trouble. Whether you will succeed or fail now lies solely on your shoulders. If you want to have a successful first year as a business school freshman, here ten tips things that you need to do.

1. Create a Support Network

When you go off to college, you leave behind your friends, family and most of your support network. The first step to having a successful freshman year is to build a new network for yourself. The best way to do this is to go out and make friends and join clubs. Find people who you can connect with. They will prove invaluable for not only making your freshman year enjoyable, but the friends you make will serve as sources of both support and advice as you try to figure out your way through college.

2. Go to Class

You would be amazed at how many people stop going to class after the first couple of weeks. People who regularly skip end up missing out on crucial lecture points not found in the book and miss out on tips for finals, midterms and papers. Even if your lecture seems pointless, you should still go as it signals to teacher that you are a motivated and serious student.

3. Pay Attention in Class

Showing up to class does no good if you are not paying attention. One of the biggest traps is bringing your laptop to a classroom that has wifi. Laptops can be great for taking notes, but the lure of the internet can distract even the most dedicated student. If you absolutely must use your laptop in class, it is preferable to disable your wifi to avoid temptation.

4. Know Your Teachers

Most college professors want to connect with their students. Take advantage of this by going to office hours and participating in class. Your teachers will often have helpful insights on how you can do better in their courses, and they can be asked to write recommendations in the future.

5. Prioritize Your Work

Create a schedule of what you have do and when. Based on the length of the project, its difficulty and when it is due, create a schedule of what you want to get done and in what order. This will help prevent you from getting distracted by side projects and allow you to focus on your work.

6. Do Not Rely on All-Nighters

While all-nighters may seem like a freshman's rite of passage, they are a terrible idea. When you pull an all-nighter, you are working when you are exhausted and less productive. You also disrupt your sleep schedule and may have a hard time readjusting to a normal cycle. This will leave you groggy and unproductive for the next few days. All nighters are ultimately a symptom of procrastination and should be avoided at all costs.

7. Avoid Partying on Week Nights

In college, you will suddenly find yourself in the company of people who seem to think it’s a good idea to party every chance they get. While there is nothing wrong with having fun, be smart about it. Staying out until 4AM when you have class in the morning is never a good idea. Limit any late night fun to when you don’t have anything important to do the next day.

8. Avoid the Bad Crowds

These are the people who leave their parents and lose control. They may seem like fun to hang around with, but their constant partying and illegal activities will only drag you down. Stick to friends who are motivated and sensible about having a good time. They will help you succeed.

9. Make Peace With Your Roommate

Your dorm room is your sanctuary. It is where you are going to live for the next two semesters. Having a roommate you don’t get along with will ruin it. This doesn’t mean that you have to be best friends, but a peaceful room environment is likely desirable for both of you. Be respectful and deal with problems when they arise. You should be able to relax in your room, not dread returning to it.

10. Make Time for Fun

College should be an enjoyable experience. It is a time to learn and grow. Part of that process includes exploring new interests and having fun. Take some time to blow off steam between working, and you will find that you are happier and more productive for having done so.

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