Every year millions of young people step bravely into an exciting new world — they're freshmen!

Whether in high school or college, the next four years for these students will be filled with new experiences, countless challenges and a myriad of ups and downs. Unfortunately, a "user's guide" isn't standard issue and some students will have more success than others.

Whether you are or aren't lucky enough to have older siblings to lead the way or savvy parents to guide you, there are ways for rookies in both high school and college to quickly learn the ins and outs of school and to gain the edge.

Get to know your counselor/adviser. Allow him or her to learn about you and your interests. Not only will they be there when you need help, but when opportunities for projects, programs, jobs or whatever hit their desk, you're the one they're likely to think of.Also, it's your counselor who college admissions people will want to talk to about your application, make sure you're more than just a name.Then there are recommendations. You also need to make sure there are a couple of teachers/professors who know you well enough to write one — especially a professor who specializes in the subject area you wish to pursue. Make sure he or she can do more than put a face to a name in an attendance roster or grade book.

Bookstores and Web sites can arm students with great advice, too. For collegians, the award-winning "Been There, Should've Done That" provides a compilation of hot tips and solid strategies for success straight from 'the horse's mouth' as college students across the U.S. share their hard-earned lessons on a multitude of issues both in and out of the classroom."You can talk to students until you're blue in the face about things like time-management skills," says former college adviser Suzette Tyler, who compiled the book. "But when a fellow student says, 'I got great grades and never missed a party, and here's how to do it...' — as a grad from Ohio University reveals in the book — it has far more impact."For high schoolers, there's "Countdown to College: 21 To-do Lists for High School."With checklists that begin the very first day of high school, this four-year, step-by-step guide shows students (and parents) what to do and when to do it. There should be no missed deadlines or missed opportunities as students learn the tricks to mapping out a four-year plan, taking SATs, APs, choosing a college, making summers count, and getting into the right schools.

Whether high school or college, this is the time to learn about you. So, if it's a club, a sport, a trip, a project, a job — go for it. You may discover (or develop) a talent or an interest, or you may find out that you hate a particular activity.Whatever the case, it's one more thing you know about you and that's going to make your life a lot easier when it comes to picking a major in college and, eventually, a career. Plus, extracurricular activities look good on college applications and job resumes.