So with the new semester getting started I've already heard some hilarious stories about what some freshman have been doing around campus. One involves a freshman here at UGA paying $100 for a ticket to last week's football game-in the second quarter! What a scam...Anyways, I thought I would dedicate my first blog to those freshman. Here are 15 tips to make this one of the best years of your life:

1. Go to the dining hall alone and find someone to eat with.

2.Go downtown. The bar scene is too much fun to wait a few years, just be smart about it.

3. Play intramural sports-not only a great way to meet people, but you can work off all the calories you will be consuming from points one and two.

4. Make friends with the desk workers and residence hall cop-this has gotten me out of more than one tricky situation.

5. Buy student notes. Even if you go to class, spend some extra cash. My notes always sucked in comparison

6. Don't sell your football tix for money unless you need it. Its more than a game-its a social event

7.Join clubs/organizations. Sounds pointless but these are the things that set you apart when it comes to internships/jobs. Trust me.

8. Go to class. Seriously, its only an hour.

9.Watch other live sports besides football. Our other sports are often forgotten, but baseball games, tennis matches, and gymnastics meets are often just as fun.

10. Try out different bars/parties. It isn't always easy, but don't get caught in the same routine. Experience every different group of people you can. It really does enrich your college years.

11. If you have to work, do it on campus. They don't pay too well but they give great hours and it gives you time to do some reading. It is the only time I actually studied.

12. Don't go home too much. Sure your mom misses you, but you'll miss out on more at school.

13. Go see a cool documentary or old film at CINE downtown. If you don't know about it, ask around.

14. Leave your dorm door open!!! Meeting people on the hall is so important. I didn't realize until I left but some of my best memories started with someone stopping by and chatting. It is like having 30 roommates-and if you get sick of them, close the door for a while-but open it later!

15. Have fun. If there is a party-go. a concert downtown-go! Even if you have a quiz or test, go for a while and hang out. You'll never have these opportunities again, live it up. 15% in one class seems like a lot now, but trust me, I remember fun nights way more than one bad test grade.

These things helped me make my freshman year the best it could be. take the ones you want and leave the ones you don't, just don't miss out on what could be the best year of your life.

Peace

Tony