For many students, college offers more freedom than they’ve had in their life. But with that freedom comes great responsibility. Abusing it can make your college experience much more difficult. Here are some of the major pitfalls to avoid:
 

1. Credit card traps: College is a great time for a young person to establish a credit history. Banks know this, so they are more willing to give students their first piece of plastic. Before you snag one and go on a shopping spree, remember that what you spend must be paid back. Develop healthy spending strategies byonly getting one card and only charging what you can pay off in a month. Better yet, try not to use the credit card except in an emergency. Try these additional tips.
2. Weight gain: All of the sudden, you can eat whatever you want, anytime you want. Fast food, high-calorie cafeteria meals and greasy/sugary snacking during study sessions will pack on the pounds before you know it. And we haven't even mentioned beer yet. It is so common for college freshmen to gain weight that this weight gain is nicknamed the “freshman fifteen.” Learn how to incorporate healthy eating habits early to avoid the extra pounds. Find ways to fit calorie-burning exercise into your schedule. Here’s how.
3. Alcohol abuse: The drinking habits that you develop in college can stick with you for the rest of your life. Drinking too much not only packs on the pounds, but it’s unhealthy for your brain cells and could contribute to poor decision-making when you need your common sense the most. On a college campus, you’re bound to find yourself in social settings that involve alcohol. If you choose to drink, do it responsibly. Make sure you have a designated driver to get you home safely. Only drink around people you trust. Know your limit and stick to it. Please seek help if you find yourself drinking too much or too often. Learn the consequences if you don't.
4. Drug experimentation: Like alcohol, drug use is fairly common on college campuses, too. Do yourself and your family a favor and “Just Say No.” Beware of drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, Ecstasy, heroine, methamphetamines or so-called “study drugs” like Ritalin and Adderall, which are prescriptions for attention-deficit disorder. If you think that you may be developing a drug habit of any sort, please seek help.
5. Unsafe sex: A college campus is very much like your own “Temptation Island.” While you might want experiences with a variety of partners, make your sexual health a priority. Here are four ways to do it: Always practice safer sex by using a condom to avoid sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) and an unwanted pregnancy. Limit your number of partners and know your partners. Get tested for STDs routinely. Lastly, learn about STDs.
6. Over-socializing: You will meet and develop friendships with a lot of new and interesting people in college. You may be tempted to hang out with them all the time, which is fine in moderation. Remember your ultimate purpose for going to school: Getting a degree. Too much socializing can come between class time, study time and eventually the good grades you need to succeed.
7. Wasting too much money on books: College textbooks are pricey, used or new. Unless you’ve registered for a required class, hold off on purchasing your books until you are certain you will stay in the class. Otherwise, if you try to return it, you won’t get what you paid for it.
   
   On-campus bookstores are not always your most affordable option. You should shop around in your area and online to try to find the best deal possible. Many colleges also have websites set up for students to buy, sell and trade books from each other.