College life. Is it going to be "The Big Chill" or "Revenge of the Nerds"? Will dating be any better than high school? Will you just go to parties all the time, live off macaroni and cheese, and study occasionally, or will you be stuck in the library every night?

First of all, movies about college definitely don't show you a real picture of college life, although we do like "Dead Poets Society."

COLLEGE IS NOT WHAT YOU THINK

As for going to parties vs. going to the library, that's up to you. Too much partying and you might become a permanent freshman. Too much studying and you forget that there's more to education than research, books and papers. A large part of college is learning fo find the balance that helps you achieve whatever you want in school and in life. Yes, this includes the dating part. But don't let the pursuit of romance distract you too much. Take it from someone who's been around the campus block: The learning and the friendships that start in college will outlast that freshman-year romance with the guy down the hall.

Even if you and your friends from home decide to attend the same college, don't be surprised if in the middle of pursuing your own activities, not to mention studying, you begin to see less and less of each other. You'll always be able to count on each other in a pinch, or to hang out for hours discussing the latest movies and music, but you may find yourself opening to new friends who may introduce you to other interests. Do you have a hidden interest in Japanese gardening ? Maybe you'll meet a transfer student from Japan who takes you to a Bonsai Club meeting. Think you'd never vote anything other than Democrat or Republican? Try going to the local Campus Libertarian Meeting with that social activist you met in Econ 200.

Activities. How do you choose? If you rush a sorority or fraternity, you're taken care of right there-most houses have their own activities and charities that they support. Just make sure that you're joining Kappa Kappa Gamma or Sigma Nu because you want to, not because you feel pressured by the "in" crowd or because you think you'll never find friends otherwise. If you're a girl and you're not asked to join a sorority, don't take it too hard. Rejection hurts, yes, but often the decisions have nothing to do with how cool you are or how smart or how nice. And-trust me on this-you'll find the group that's right for you, and you may even say that not pledging a sorority was the best thing that could have happened.