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If you have any interest in mathematics, engineering, or the hard sciences, now is the time to explore it.

"Many subjects you can study in college - like history, literature, languages, business, law, or art - are also subjects you could learn later, through personal or professional experience, or through independent reading." However, STEM subjects tend to be best mastered in college, where you have teachers and classmates to help you work through difficult problems. "If you don't tackle them now, the odds are strongly against you ever doing so in the future." You can't just learn these hard skills through casual reading. They are much easier to learn in a classroom setting with specialized equipment and instruction. Also, these subjects are good to know whether you want a career in them or even if you just want the intellectual satisfaction.

Adjust your schedule around when YOU are the most productive and creative.

While most people would advise you to do your work first thing after class, in the end, you know what's best for you. "If you're nocturnal and do your best work late at night, embrace that. It may be the only time in your life when you can," writes former MIT admissions counselor Ben Jones in blog post, which is referenced in the Quora thread. Even if you feel like you're most productive the hour before your assignment is due, embrace it. You don't need to listen to others when they tell you to be more organized or plan better. Different things work for different people.

Don't be afraid to take time off

Many students are ashamed of leaving for a year, because it implies they couldn't handle the rigors of school or had to take a break to discover themselves. Yet these days, gap years are becoming increasingly popular. In fact, most students find their time off to be one of their best college experiences. They can use it to pursue internships, travel the world, live independently, and do what really matters to them. It can help you discover what you want to do after graduation and also provide you with some cool stories to share.

• The Law of Diminishing Marginal Returns applies to your GPA, too.
• Take advantage of this time to become the most amazing version of yourself.
• Leave your door open in the residence hall.
• Not Focus on your relationships more than your studies.

1. Make a new music playlist every month.
2. Recognize that it's OK to be sad.
3. Be intentional in your friendships.
4. Understand that the biggest cause of roommate conflicts is a failure to communicate.