Maybe you planned to party like a maniac from the second you set foot on campus until the moment you're due at your first class, but chances are, partying will be the last thing on your mind. You hardly know anyone, you don't exactly know your way around, and the money in your bank account needs to last all semester. It's totally natural to feel overwhelmed at this point, even a little scared. After all, you've arrived at the ultimate first day of school. The good news is that most colleges offer orientation activities. The ice-breaker games at these events may seem a bit cheesy, but they're an easy way to develop that we're-in-the-same-boat bond with other students. And you'll probably pick up information and advice at orientation that'll come in handy later.

In the meantime, we offer a few suggestions for getting your college life going on the right track.

Academics
One thing you've probably already heard is how important it is to manage your time wisely. So don't procrastinate on taking this suggestion to heart. One of the best things about college is the freedom. Ironically, it can also be one of the worst. You can find yourself regretting even a few cut classes when your first midterm rolls around. Create a study schedule you can live with. Decide when and where you read, write, or think best—whether it be mornings in the library, noon in the quad with a study group, or 4am in your dorm room—and make the most of these studying "windows."

You don't have to declare a major right away, but at least be thinking about your interests. Want to know more about Mars? Curious about children's theater? Ever thought about teaching outdoor education? Take some of your required general education courses, then treat yourself to a seminar on the search for extraterrestrial life, a puppetry workshop, or an outdoor survival skills course.

After years of viewing your teachers simply as authority figures, getting to know your professors may seem weird; but try to visit them during office hours or email them once in a while. Even if you don't need extra help in a class, you'll be glad you made the effort when you need references or career advice someday.

Social
As tempting as it may be to stay up late every night chatting with new friends or spend the whole weekend exploring your new town, the habits you establish now will be hard to break later. So strive for balance between socializing and studying from the get-go. That way, you'll be able to play without thinking about work and vice versa.

College may be the first time in your life you've ever had to share a room with someone. Keep in mind that you'll be spending at least a semester with this person, so pick your battles. If your roommate eats a couple of the oatmeal cookies your mom made you, simply ask if she liked them. If she hands out your entire semester's snack-food supply to your dormmates without asking, it's time to talk boundaries. Just remember: diversity is part of the college experience. And a little tact goes a long way.

If you're not living on campus or are having a tough time making new friends (or even if you aren't), join a club. Try activities that take you outside your comfort zone. That goes for meeting people, too. Be careful not to spend all your free time with friends from your old high school or even with the first few people you meet at college. Make friends with—and date—people from different backgrounds. You'll become a more tolerant and accepting person, which in turn will make living with a difficult roommate that much easier.

Personal
You won't be able to ace your classes or go to parties if you're stuck in bed, so make your health your number-one priority. Cold pizza and ramen noodles should be a once-in-a-while fix, not a way of life. Exercise. Get as much sleep as you can. You've just made a major life transition and it's bound to be stressful, so find ways to creative relax: run laps, download iTunes, play with your Xbox. Just remember the moderation thing.

Even if you're thrilled to be away from home, make an effort to call your parents. (They're definitely missing you!) And if you're terribly homesick, try finding new sources of emotional support on campus-whether it's catching up with people you knew from back home or talking to a counselor in health services. The longer you're at school, the easier that will get. Most college freshman get homesick at some point—it's totally normal.

And about that bank account, make a budget and stick to it. Avoid taking a job your first semester if at all possible. Allow yourself some "alone time" to think about your goals, your talents, your purpose.

And most important of all, take it one day at a time.