THINGS I SHOULD START EARLY IN COLLEGE TO BE A BETTER MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

So my college 1st year is starting soon and I wanna be ahead of the game , what things I should start studying and learning early to get a head start , I heard of matlab, metrology and cad software but I don't know where to start . are these things taught in college also , should learn them to get a certificate or just for a hobby?? Explain it like you are talking to a baby