If I could sit my freshman-year self down for one honest conversation, this is what I would say. Not advice from a textbook. Not the polished version. Just the real stuff I learned the hard way.
1. Your friends in the first week are not necessarily your friends for life. That's okay. Give it time.
2. Join one club that scares you a little. Growth lives on the other side of uncomfortable. Don't be scared of getting involved and joining places where you don't know anyone. That's an opportunity to meet new amazing people!
3. Find a mentor before you think you need one. By the time you need one, you'll wish you had started sooner! Find a professor, someone from the office, an advisor, the Presidient of a club. Anyone can be a mentor. Make sure you start looking for one early on.
4. Talk to your professors. Go to office hours. They remember the students who showed up! Bring questions ready, show them how hard you have been working on your assigment and how much you care.
5. Say yes to coffee chats. Most opportunities come from conversations, not applications! Schedule them , ask people for 15 minutes of their time.
6. Don't eat every meal alone. Even one meal with someone a week changes how campus feels! Schedule lunch breaks with friends or people from your classes.