Show this to your college freshman

I’ve been teaching college for nearly 25 years, and so I think I actually know a thing or two about the 18-22 age cohort.

Well, I at least know what separates successful college students from unsuccessful ones, happy ones from struggling ones.

And so, with that in mind — and for everyone (you know who you are!) entering their freshman year right now — here’s the official Jeff Edelstein Tips and Tricks to Have a Wildly Successful College Experience.

This is actual, honest-to-goodness advice. Good luck, and knock ‘em dead.

Virtually everyone entering college is in the same boat, namely: They don’t know anyone, or maybe know a few people from their high school. So how to meet people? Simple. Say “yes.” Watch.

Someone asks if you want to go with them to Wawa? Yes.

Someone asks if you want to study with them? Yes.

Someone asks if you want to go to some frat party? Yes.

Someone asks if you want to snort cocaine off a hooker’s butt while waving loaded guns around? That one you absolutely say no to, that was a test, congratulations, you passed.

But for real: Just saying “yes” to most everything will ensure you meet tons of people, have tons of experiences, and make tons of friends.

Showing up to class is like 85% of the battle. Seriously. Just show up. Make yourself known to the professor. We are human. We can be … nice. But if you don’t show up, if you don’t make yourself known, you’re just a nameless face or number. I had one student who would shake my hand after every class. Brilliant. You know how much of the benefit of the doubt I gave that kid?

So show up. Sit in front of the class. Ask questions. Be a person. It will pay off.

Related to the above. No one goes to office hours until they need something. Go to office hours when you don’t. Just show up, say “hello,” ask a question or two about the class. You’re now the professor’s favorite student.

Clubs, Greek life, charitable organizations, I don’t care what it is. Find things you’re sort of interested in, sign up for those things. It’s very easy to not do this. But I have found, without fail, that the kids who are actively engaged in campus life are the happiest kids. It may feel weird to sign up for some of this stuff, but it’s not. Do it. Sign up.

Basically, your calendar should be filled. All the time.

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And the weed. Not saying not to have fun, but I am saying not to let it be the point of your existence.

You were the big man on campus at your high school? Cool. You were the dorkiest kid at your high school? Cool. You were the prettiest girl at your high school? Cool. You loved high school? Cool. You hated high school? Cool.

High school is over. Whatever you were pigeon-holed as at your high school -- good or bad -- doesn’t matter anymore. You control the narrative to your life now. Fresh start. This cuts both ways, obviously: If you were the BMOC/prettiest/most popular you’re going to need to let that go and start over. If you hated high school, you’re going to have to let that go as well.

Career counseling, regular counseling, the tutoring center, the writing center, whatever. Take advantage of all the help that is surrounding you.

Well, I know I said “say yes” up there, but it’s also important to learn how to say “no.” Sometimes you could use 12 hours of sleep. Take it.

If you have an assignment that’s due, always better to get it done ASAP and leave time to edit, think, etc. Last-second work usually looks like last-second work.

I cannot stress this enough. So I’m repeating it. Say yes. Do things, even if your base level is “I don’t wanna do things.” Forward motion, people!

If you live there, don’t go home on weekends. If you’re a commuter, it’s even more important. And besides, if you’re signing up for clubs and saying “yes” all the time, you won’t have time to go home.

To sum up: Have fun. Be smart. Show up. Make the most of this experience.

Do all this, and when you look up in four years, you’re not going to recognize the person reading this today. And you’ll be happier for it.