1. You know all that stuff your parents have been harping about all these years about eating right, getting plenty of rest, and the value of outdoor exercise? Well, they were right. If you hope to survive long enough to get into graduate school or make a killing in the latest technology craze, you need to take at least a passing interest in your general health.

2. Just because your roommate seems to survive just fine on two hours of sleep in the middle of the day doesn’t mean you can. Know your body well enough to know how much sleep you need to feel good, how much you need to survive over the long haul without getting sick, and how much you can sacrifice in the short term in case of emergencies (and how you need to go about recovering from that). Pay attention also to your own natural activity patterns. No, you can’t use your biorhythms to avoid those 8:00 a.m. classes – but if you understand them, at least you can plan your time to be as effective as possible.

3. Just because your roommate seems to survive just fine on a diet of caffeine and junk food doesn’t mean you can. Of course you’re going to eat more pizza and ice cream in your first week at school than you normally do in a month at home – but that’s no reason not to force down a few fresh fruits and vegetables every day, and to drink some plain water once in a while. Don’t forget to floss, and be sure to take your vitamins!

4. If you’re lucky enough (luck being, of course, in the eye of the beholder) to attend a residential campus with a “no cars for freshmen” rule and lots of beautiful open space between buildings, you’ll get at least some exercise by default. If you can force yourself to find something else to do every week that elevates your heart rate (no, panicking over midterms doesn’t count), you’ll thank yourself down the road.  Most universities offer a wide range of activities at a wide range of times, so try a bunch and find one that works for you. Trust Dr. Mom – a regular exercise routine will relieve stress, improve your focus and concentration, keep you looking good, prevent you from spending quality time at the student health center, and help you avoid the unbelievable hassle of making up long periods of missed class time.

5. Try to remember that college is about expanding your horizons, not just a fancy type of job training program. Take some fun, even frivolous courses now and then.  You’ll meet new people, exercise new parts of your brain, and maybe even discover a lifelong passion!