Students offered the following advice for Meredith’s Class of 2016.

•“Try and go into the semester with a clean attitude - don't think that your classes will be intimidating; just take each challenge as it arrives!” –Kristen Gallagher, ’13

•“Learn to manage your time between classes, work and friends. Learn to have fun but don't forget your priorities and responsibilities.” – Upama Karki, ’14

•“The more you get out there in trying new things and experiences the better your years will be. Make sure you participate in the traditions that come up throughout the year because that is a great way to make new friends and amazing memories.” – Kaitlyn Turner, ’14

•“Everyone’s college experience is different. Once you learn that you will realize you can do anything you want if you put your mind to it.”—Elizabeth Oates, ’13

•“Don’t over pack...you will accumulate so much stuff here so it’s better to bring less plus that makes it easier to move everything in!” –Mary Rawls, ’13

•“Everyone at Meredith is so excited to meet you and get to know you! Freshmen year is a learning experience. Learn all you can from everyone you can. There are so many resources available to you at Meredith. Utilize them. Get involved! Go to campus events and participate! This is how you will meet your life-long friends.”—Brittany Murray, ’13

•“Don’t be afraid to be yourself once you arrive. Your fellow classmates, upperclassmen, and professors want to get to know the real you. Try to give everyone that chance.”—Angel Jackson, ’13

•“Don’t narrow your choices too quickly. College is a time to explore your interests – and yes, you can still graduate in four years if you do this. Even if you come into college with a decided major, don’t be afraid to learn about all of the options and opportunities that major can offer. There are “hidden’ careers in every field, and if you find them, they may turn out to be your dream job.”—Chloë Williams, ‘13

•“Take a deep breath, and calm down. It’s nerve-wracking, and stressful, but once you get settled, you’ll get to meet so many wonderful new people, and make lifelong friends. Be flexible, things won’t always go your way, but it’ll be a great year!”—Sara Owens, ’15

•“Wait to buy "extra" things for your dorm until you are actually in Raleigh. You probably won't need everything you think you will and once you see the space in your room you can decide what you really do need and want. – Rebecca Jernigan, ’13

•Use your planner! Meredith provides these cute little planners to all the students. These planners contain basically all the events you need to know about. They also leave you with space to write in what homework and assignments you need to remind yourself of.—Shelby Wilson ‘14

Next question: What’s the one thing you wish you’d known the summer before your freshman year?