Let's talk about drinking. We're not talking about social drinking. I mean the hardcore I'm-gonna-win-a-prize-if-I-gulp-a-gallon-of-vodka kind of drinking.

Freshmen, learn from my mistakes.

First, you don't have to prove to anyone that you are "a drinker." It is perfectly fine to nurse a single beer all night so that you can make it to your 8 a.m. class. Likewise, if you would prefer going to LateNight Penn State for a night of wild partying, do it.

Don't skip classes because of alcohol. Don't make people baby-sit you while you puke in the bushes on frat row. Don't lose your backpack with $100 worth of textbooks and a final paper for a class in it. Don't hop a fence to illegally soak in a hot tub because cops on bikes really don't like it. Don't fall down a 5-foot rock embankment while looking for a shortcut home. One last thing, don't ever lie to the police.

Trust me, it's not worth it.

It's not fun trying to explain to mom and dad why you are still sleeping when they call at 4 p.m. It's even worse attempting to take a final with a hangover. And it's really scary when you can't remember where you were and what you did the previous night.

There is a way to walk the fine line between having fun and having to join Alcoholics Anonymous. Don't get me wrong, I am not suggesting that you sit alone in your dorm room and watch Animal Planet in your pajamas on the weekends. That would be a waste.

Go out and meet people. Talk to everyone and anyone you meet. Don't limit yourself to befriending people who are walking paper cutouts of you.

You just never know who you'll meet, and you don't have to bong 12 beers to do it. Just one thing, don't get drunk and talk to creepy old guys with comb-overs who drive kidnapper vans.

Trust me, it's not worth it.

College seems like the perfect place to dive headfirst into freedom. There is no greater feeling than the first time you go to Sheetz at 2 a.m. on a Monday just because you feel like it. It's exhilarating when you can imitate Cartman from South Park and say, "Whatever, whatever, I do what I want!" and know that you really can.

But try not to let the freedom get to you, especially when it comes to partying. If someone suggests playing flip cup or beer pong with hard alcohol, just say no. People see freshmen coming a mile away. They know that you are young and a bit naïve, and sometimes, shady people will try to take advantage of you.

So, no, you don't need to take six shots of Bacardi 151 just because that hot pre-med major across the room asked you. I don't care how nice he seems or how cute his dimples are.

Trust me, it's really not worth it.