Freshman year is hard. You have to make new friends, live in a new place, play for a new team and coach, and take classes on a brand new campus. Nobody's first year is going to be perfect, but here are 6 tips that will hopefully help you out.

1. Don't expect playing time

This might sound harsh, but I have witnessed way too many people get upset when they don't get much playing time in their first games as a freshman. You have to go into your first year knowing that you have to earn your playing time. Unless you are one of the top recruits in the nation, you probably can't expect to come into college and play right off the bat.

2. You don't have to only make friends on your team

Your teammates are going to be the first people you meet and also the people you spend the most time with. They are going to end up being like your family, but that doesn't mean that they are the only people you can be friends with. Branch out to people in your classes, dorm, and other people you meet on campus. I hate to say it, but you might get sick of your teammates pretty quickly if they are the only people you hang out with. 

3. Stay on top of your homework

I really hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you are going to have more schoolwork in college. You are going to have more free time than you did in high school, but it is all up to you to get your work done. As a student-athlete, you will have a busy schedule so make sure you know when you will be traveling for games and won't have much time for work.

4. Take advantage of resources

If you do start to fall behind in a class, you don't need to worry too much. Especially as a student-athlete, you have plenty of resources to help you. Talk to your advisor about getting a tutor, join/create a study group for your class, or get help from upperclassmen who have taken this class before. 

5. Learn from your teammates

As a freshman athlete, you have some of the best athletes at your fingertips. If you aren't getting much playing time, watch your teammates who do play. What makes them so effective? How do they move on/off the ball? How are they communicating? Observe your teammates during practices and games and try to implement what you learn into your own game. 

6. Get involved on campus

It can be hard with the crazy schedules of playing a sport to remember that there are other activities on campus. If you can, try your best to go to some sponsored events on campus, join a club, or play an intramural sport (if your coach allows it). Doing things other than your sport will help you not get too burnt out. Plus, you will meet tons of new people and maybe even find a new hobby!