Classes, pranks and schedules.

That was high school, but now there is a new task at hand: freshman year of college. The transition from the top of the food chain to the very bottom can be a scary thought.

Freshmen of college have a lot to handle in their first few moments at an undergraduate such as making new friends, even if you’re starting with a few, being able to adjust to your new environment and lifestyle, which may be a make or break situation, and of course, recovering from the epidemic known as senioritis. These are just three of the hurdles that a “frosh” has to jump.

Catherine Rocco, an incoming freshman, has other concerns.

“I’m sad about not having a homecooked meal every night and I’m not sure what homework will be like without a parent standing over me making sure that it’s done.”

Homecooked meals and parent supervision are just two of the many routines that will change because of college. Freshman year is the start of living as an adult, especially if you’re a dormer, and taking care of yourself without someone else.

The lifestyle changes aren’t even the half of it. The education will change as well.

“It’s a completely different education, like the idea of a few classes every day, then hours of free time. I have also heard of how tough college classes can be.” said Mike Penn, an incoming freshman majoring in physics. “I do not want to get overwhelmed.”

It may seem as though high school seniors have it easy, but that will not be the case when they come to college. But look one year ahead, and as freshman in college, they could face anxiety, stress, and possibly some big problems.

But advice is available, whether by an undergraduate adviser that is assigned through an undergraduate college or, of course, some of the recent pros, such as upcoming sophomores.

“It’s pretty stressful for the first semester,” said Jessica Quickle, a science major heading into her second year at Stony Brook.

High school and college aren’t very similar, Quickle said. Besides the obvious lifestyle changes, she added a look into the classrooms.

“In high school, I was able to rely on teachers for help in class,” Quickle said. “In college, however, professors can’t stop to help just one student.”

However, her biggest tip to having an overall good start to the year is to keep your head out of the books. Yes, out of the books. Studying isn’t the only aspect of college.

“I quickly learned that college was not enjoyable until I got involved on campus,”Quickle said.

Joining clubs and teams, as well as meeting new friends, can be a bridge from high school to college.

Being a freshman again will be different, but it does not mean worse. In the end, that part is left up to you.