The first year of college is one of the most exciting times in a person’s life. Feelings of excitement, fear, anticipation, hope, and mystery swim in the senses. But parents can also experience these sensations; they are watching their daughter leave home and straight into that gateway world towards becoming an independent adult. One’s college years aren’t just about receiving an education. This is also a time when people learn who they are, what they want in life, and they deal with new challenges that shape the person they are becoming.

One of the best things you can do for your daughter is to allow her to stumble and encounter learning experiences. But you can give her words of wisdom to help guide her in a healthy direction. Here are three points of advice to give to your daughter before she heads off to college.

1. Join a Sorority

Surely you’ve heard the expression “there’s power in numbers”, and this is certainly true when it comes to the Greek life. Contrary to the movies, sororities are not full of party-hungry bimbos and binge drinking. Rather, these organizations help young women make the most of their college years by lending academic support, forming friends, networking with career opportunities, and channelling them into volunteering and fundraising activities. Various surveys show that sorority women form faster friendships and have better careers than those who fly solo.

Sororities also help teach personable skills such as how to support a fellow human being. For example, the best Greek organizations get custom sorority apparel to showcase a united team alliance both on and off campus. Whether raising money for a homeless shelter at a downtown charity event, or walking from one classroom to another, women in their sorority shirts stand out as serious, giving individuals striving to better themselves and each other. By talking to your daughter about pledging for a sorority, you can set her on a path to a brighter future.

2. Talk about Boys at Parties

While there are many proper young men who would never take advantage of a woman, there are still guys who view college as a time to play the field in a not so fair manner. Recently there has been an upsurge in campus rapes across the country, and most of these occur from drugging women. There is no need to paint a picture that will put your daughter into a state of fear, but giving her some practical advice on how to stay safe can help keep her out of these statistics. Be sure to tell your daughter to investigate the recent history and standing of the guys throwing the party. Tell your daughter to never accept a drink from a guy but instead for her to pour her own. You should also tell her to stay with friends and never go to a party alone.

3. Work / Life Balance

The opportunities to go to parties and social events are always there. Sometimes it can be easy for college freshman to put more emphasis on their social life than their academic one. Talk to your daughter about a work / life balance but do it in a way where you make it very clear that college is for having fun and making new friends. Then stress that in order to make the most of your social life, you need to keep your grades up. After all, mediocre or failing grades won’t get you very far through the academic funnel. Finding the right time for studies in a way that allows freed-up social time will help improve both and lead to a winning work / life balance on campus.