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Your first year of college is your first real experience with independence, but there are so many choices, as well as responsibilities. You have classes to attend and social activities to explore. You may also work a part-time job, volunteer, or participate in extracurricular activities. Being a freshman is exciting, but it can be overwhelming.

Here are some common pitfalls to avoid during your first year of college:

1) Thinking It Will Be Just Like High School

One of the biggest mistakes freshmen make is thinking that college will be just like high school, but college isn’t like high school at all. You may have been the valedictorian of your high-school class without ever having to study for a single test, but don’t expect things to be so easy in college. Now that you are going to a university, you may find yourself surrounded by people just like you. However amazing you were in high school, these people may be equally amazing. You may even find that you are no longer the smartest person in the room — and that’s a good thing. Dial back the hubris and embrace your position. Don’t feel threatened, seize the opportunity to mix with some bright minds.

2) Working Too Hard but Not Smart Enough

This brings us to the second common pitfall: putting in too much effort but focusing that energy on the wrong things. Effort can be defined as taking action toward a goal. When you go to college, you find more extracurricular activities, course options, and social opportunities than were available to you ever before. It is easy to over-commit yourself and to try so hard to be the best in class or the best on your team that you get burned out. Instead of applying your effort, apply your willpower — that is, your ability to persevere. In other words, work smarter, not harder so you don’t burn yourself out on the wrong stuff.

3) Losing Focus

With so many new distractions, events, friends, and activities in college, it can be tough to really be there in the moment, giving full attention and not thinking about what you are going to do later or that cutie in the next row. Before you know it, you miss something important your professor said, you show up late or miss class because it’s Greek week, you fall behind on homework, or you miss a deadline with your financial aid/student loan paperwork and risk losing out on a college you dreamed of attending. Don’t let this happen to you.

4) Neglecting to Care for Yourself

In college, you get to eat what you want and sleep is something you do when you don’t have anything better to occupy your time. It may seem fun in the moment, but it is a big mistake. Overeating or eating the wrong foods can lead to the notorious “Freshman 15,” a very real situation in which many college students quickly put on 15 lbs. and stress their bodies carrying around that excess weight. Before you know it, you have problems concentrating and you don’t have any energy, plus you seem to get every cold that comes around and you’re out of breath just walking to class. Avoid this pitfall by keeping regular sleeping hours, exercising regularly, and eating five servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

You finally have the chance to make your own decisions, plot your own course, and work toward the life you want. Don’t start off on the wrong foot!

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Texas recently rolled out the welcome mat for concealed weapons on college campuses. The bill, known as the “campus carry” bill, will go into effect in August 2016 for universities and August 2017 for community colleges. Although private colleges can opt out of the bill, and public schools can designate “gun-free” zones, the measure has created a flurry of debate on both sides of the issue.

Supporters Claim the Bill Is a Protection

Republicans voted in favor of the new law. “I just feel that the time has come for us to protect the men and women of Texas who are carrying concealed on our campuses,” said the bill’s House sponsor, state Rep. Allen Fletcher.

Supporters also claim that most of the people who will carry their guns on campus will be older, responsible students who simply want to protect themselves. The argument claims that villains will be villains regardless of laws, and the new bill lets law-abiding citizens guard themselves against the people who would choose to do them harm.

Some Gun-Rights Advocates Dislike the Bill

Some people who support the rights of students and others to carry concealed guns dislike the attention the bill has brought to the issue, and they claim the bill gives too much leeway to opponents of concealed weapons rights.

Students for Concealed Carry expressed opposition to the legislation, which the group said gives “opponents of campus carry exactly what they wanted — complete local control over licensed concealed carry . . . We at Students for Concealed Carry would appreciate it (if) the bill’s authors and sponsors would quit confusing the issue by claiming a victory for our side. We don’t need to hide behind a gutted bill to save face.”

Professors and Students Express Concerns

In a New York Times article, reporters Manny Fernandez and Dave Montgomery wrote that professors worry about seeing students in their offices alone to talk about failing grades, if they believe the students may be armed. The article also noted that Democratic lawmakers and some university leaders have concerns about hikes in security costs and the effects of the bill on bringing in new teachers and students from other states.

Some students also stated their worries about having concealed weapons on campus. “I don’t think guns should be allowed, because that’s pretty scary,” 18-year-old sophomore Sarah Wang said in the Times article. “We’ve already seen so many instances where people get hurt because there are guns in schools.”

Do Guns Belong on Campus?

When the bill goes into effect, Texas will join seven other states that allow concealed weapons on campuses; Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Oregon, Utah, and Wisconsin already allow guns. Nineteen states ban guns, and 23 states leave the decision up to individual schools. The other states that do allow guns give more freedom to weapons owners than the Texas law does.

Rick Brown, the chief of police at Southern Utah University in Center City, where students and faculty can carry concealed weapons in most campus areas, claims the university’s gun policy has never led to any problems on campus.

Obviously, the issue of whether guns belong on campus is a polarizing one. Regardless of which side of the issue they stand on, however, students should take common-sense measures to protect themselves and be aware of school and state policies regarding concealed weapons.

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Internships help you explore a field of study further, get experience in an industry, and build connections within a company. You may have to work for free or for a very low wage to have the privilege of learning from established professionals in your field or industry. The hours are usually long and the work can be plentiful, but when you do an internship abroad, you get to spend your days working in a field you love while exploring a new place. You may even get to learn a new language, and the experience itself, whether positive or negative, lets you explore a country you have always wanted to see while earning an impressive entry on your resume. It may sound like a dream, but scoring an internship abroad is a very real possibility and easier than you think.

Interning Abroad

Most schools in the United States will offer credit for qualified internships, but not all internships will qualify. That may or may not matter, depending on your particular field of study, the requirements of your program, the reason you want a particular internship, and the employment laws of the country in which you intend to complete your internship. Some colleges may not give you the necessary documentation you need to prove that you are completing an internship, so do your research before accepting an internship. Plus, whether your internship is paid, required, or counts for college credit can change the legal right you have in the host country and even the process you need to follow to get a visa.

Common Fees

Depending on your college, you may have to pay to get acknowledgement for your internship on your college transcript. In addition, many internships are unpaid or do not offer enough pay to support yourself financially while staying in the country. You will incur expenses for food and accommodations, as well as the adventures you will have. To be able to get a visa to your host country, you will need to prove that you have adequate financial support before paying the fees for the visa. Travel expenses also have to be tallied as well as health care. Make sure you have an emergency fund, just in case.

Websites to Use

There are organizations that offer internship abroad placement services for a fee but you don’t need to use them to find a great opportunity. You can find internships in your host country on your own through sites like GoOverseas.com, which provides information about programs for studying, interning, and learning a language in different countries, and GoAbroad.com, which offers a variety of information about volunteering, studying, teaching, and interning abroad. Both provide reviews as well as information. The career placement services office at your college may also be able to help.

Interning abroad is a great way to earn work experience while gaining life experience. Being in a different country, with a different language, different customs, and a different culture, makes an internship abroad challenging — you’ll be away from friends and family, and will likely have difficulties communicating — but the trade-off is worth it as long as you do your research first.

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Ready to hit the road for an unforgettable mid-summer trip? If destinations like New York City and Las Vegas seem a little too commonplace and touristy, you can find many other cities you can head to for offbeat fun and eccentric offerings. Plus, cities that don’t see as many tourists tend to be cheaper, so you can be kind to your budget.

What are some worthy destinations for your summer road trip? Here’s four to consider:

1) Portland, Oregon

The TV show Portlandia depicts this Pacific Northwest gem as out-of-this-world weird, and that isn’t far from the truth — in a really good way. All you have to do is head downtown, pick a spot for people-watching, and count all the unique characters that pass by.

But Portland’s lovable strangeness is only part of the city’s appeal. You’ll find amazing food, too. Enjoy handmade pasta, perfect pizza, stellar seafood, microwbrews galore, and more

For some stunning natural scenery, take the short trip to the Columbia River Gorge, where lush greenery and majestic waterfalls await. Or, if you’re up for a hike, try Mt. Hood, which is just a short drive out of town.

2) Memphis, Tennessee

For amazing Southern fun, head to Memphis. Walk along Beale Street and try not to let the tons of live entertainment and food options overwhelm you. Visit Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley. Wander through museums that showcase the city’s rich music history (a little bit country, a little bit rock ‘n’ roll, a little bit soul, and all good). Want to find a unique piece to liven up your dorm room? Head to the Memphis Antique and Design District in the Cooper-Young neighborhood.

See Memphis’s true beauty when you go to the Mississippi River and take in a remarkable sunset while you unwind from a day of eating and shopping and exploring. Take a biking tour of the city for even more photo opportunities.

3) Grand Rapids, Michigan

Ready to have a grand time in Grand Rapids? This beautiful attraction-filled city is a great place to visit if you live in the Midwest. The GR beaches are a must-experience. In winter, the beaches are too cold to be much fun, but the warm summer weather lets you take full advantage of the clean white-sand shores of Lake Michigan.

In the city itself, you can enjoy top-notch shopping at malls and boutiques. After the sun sets, don your nighttime party apparel and head to a place like 57 Brewpub and Bistro or Dr. Grin’s Comedy Club.

4) Albuquerque, New Mexico

Pack your sunscreen when you head to Albuquerque. The average daytime temperature in the summer is around 90 degrees Fahrenheit, although a low humidity level makes it tolerable.

Hiking is one of the best things to do in Albuquerque. Enjoy the allure of the desert when you traverse the Sandia Mountains. Keep an eye out for wildlife and bring your camera so you can capture a breathtaking sunset or sunrise. If your budget allows for it, you should take a hot-air balloon ride over the Rio Grande Valley for views unlike any other and you’ll understand why Albuquerque is considered The Ballooning Capital of The World.

If you’d rather spend your time indoors, you can have fun at a spa or casino in town. Visit a brewery or winery for some delicious cooling libations and sink your teeth into New Mexican cuisine, a unique fusion of Spanish, Native American, and Spanish ingredients and styles.

Where will your summer adventures take you?