Nov 03, 2016 11:01 AM EDT By Chris Brandt, UniversityHerald Reporter

University can be both exciting and scary for incoming freshmen students. It can also cause some sort of a 'culture shock' for a lot of students as they deal with their newfound freedom couple with the rigors of their coursework as well as the new environment and social structure. For those who are working students, it could take a toll on them as they balance school, job, and relationships.

In order to help the transition much easier for college students, experts interviewed 2 million college students in more than 100 colleges and universities nationwide to share how they survived college. They gathered these tips and came up with the top five answers.

Forget about the numbers

With numbers, it means score. A lot of students have been intimated by students who have a higher standardized test score or came from a more prestigious high school. This should not bother you because the university shouldn't have accepted you in the first place if they think you didn't have what it takes to make it. More often than not, universities base their decision in accepting students through a lot of data and not on one single test alone.

It's not just about the academics

There are many factors why students drop out of school and academics is not the main reason why. In fact, a research revealed that 75 percent of those who dropped out of college were doing very well in their academics prior to that. Two of the major reasons why students drop out are financial and personal problems. When these happens, make sure you have someone to talk to and ask advice from instead of deciding to quit.

Develop your writing skills no matter what your major is

Writing skills are not just for English Literature majors but even for those who have STEM courses. Data have shown that those who have aced their introductory writing course as a freshman has a higher chance of becoming better when they reach their junior year. Don't take writing for granted even if you aim to be an engineer or an accountant.

When in doubt, ask for help

You cannot do it alone but you need a strong support system if you really want to survive university, or even life. Even the best, the strongest, and the smartest need help from time to time. When you do, don't hesitate or better yet, build a support system composed of people you trust and rely on for guidance.

Plan, plan, plan

The saying 'failing to plan is planning to fail' might be cliche but it's true. Having a plan sets you straight into the right course because it serves as a reminder regarding the path that you need to take and finish.

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