Starting college can be a very nerve wracking experience. Students face a new environment, new people, and increased academic challenges, in addition to losing the security of living at home. On top of that, there are just so many unknowns. That’s why it is not surprising that freshmen tend to make five big mistakes. The good news is that they are avoidable.

Mistake number one is overdressing. It happens first at orientation, when it is hot and there is a lot of walking around campus. But, some freshmen don’t learn their lesson at orientation; they show up at the beginning of the semester in a dress slacks or high heels. Unless professional dress is required, dressing for comfort is a student’s best choice.

As someone who has helped thousands of freshmen schedule their first semester courses, I have seen many of them worry more about who is will be in a class than what a class is about. Because they are a bit fearful, they want to schedule as many classes as possible with their friends. It’s not bad to have friends in your classes, but it is bad to choose a class primarily because you and a friend can both fit them into your schedules. Instead, classes should be chosen for their content and because they can move students closer to a degree, not closer to a friend.

Another classic freshman mistake is to try to attend every party or bar special in sight. Fun is fine, but students who overdo it are far more likely to find themselves in academic trouble.

Many freshmen come to college after a high school career filled with holding offices in every club the school had to offer. These folks sometimes want to continue their participation in many co-curricular activities and organizations. Joining a few groups and being active in them is something all students should do. Joining a dozen groups will only get you overextended.

The final common freshmen mistake is one that many folks continue throughout college and well as into their careers. It’s procrastinating. Procrastination is the chief enemy of college students. On the other hand, students who do not wait until the last minute to complete their academic assignments or study for exams generally learn more, earn higher grades, and lead far less stressful lives.

If you are about to begin college, avoiding the aforementioned freshman mistakes can make your life, and your progress toward a degree, far easier.