1. Attend Class
This may seem like a no brainer, but you'd be surprised just how many students decide straightaway that their classes are pointless to go to. Even if it seems like you might already know everything that your professor is talking about during the first day, keep going to class to meet your classmates if nothing else. Then when the material gets more difficult (which it will), you'll have some friends/acquaintances there to form a study group with.
2. Read your Syllabi
You will get a syllabus for each class you're in whether it's handed to you on paper or you have to look it up online to read it. Many students either promptly throw this paper away or shove it to the back of their binder, but you shouldn't do that! Oftentimes professors will list all of the due dates for the entire semester in the syllabus and if you lose it, you might miss the deadline for a major project or not know that you had a test in class one day. So this tip actually has two parts: read your syllabi and make note of the important dates!
3. Get an organizer and use it
This goes hand in hand with the syllabi tip. In college, with classes on random days and some that may only meet once a week, it's easy to forget what assignments/due dates you have for each class (cause you're brain is being overfilled with knowledge), so get a planner/organizer/calender/whatever to help you remember these assignments/projects/test dates.
4. Don't be a hermit
When I first moved in with my current roommates, we all brainstormed together for our "apartment rules" and added to the list as needed. One of the first ones we came up with was "Don't be a hermit (unless you're a crab)." While it seems funny, it actually is serious. I'd say that at least half of your college experience comes from the friends you make and activities you're involved in and not the classes you're taking. While classes are important, the first week or two will be less stressful and the ideal time to start making new friends and joining clubs and organizations that interest you.
5. Get ahead
The first few weeks of classes are generally the calmest and easiest period during the semester. Use this time before the coursework starts picking up to start brainstorming ideas for later projects or even something as simple as reading ahead in the text. The further along you get in the semester, the easier it is to fall behind, so combat that now!
6. Start getting to know your professors
Since the first part of the semester is generally less stressful, this is also a good time to start building relationships with your professors, especially any professors that you might want a recommendation letter from later on. Your professors are also more likely to be available to talk with you now as opposed to the week of the first exam when they're bombarded with tons of students wanting to ask questions about the test material. Get your foot in the door early.
7. Stay on campus as much as possible
This one mainly relates to commuter students, but it can also apply to students who live on campus. The first week(s) of college are chock full of activities and gatherings, and the best part is that everyone is open to meeting new people. My school has a larger percentage of students who commute to campus for classes, and I see a bunch of them missing out on a lot of fun events because they'd rather not stay on campus if they don't have to. Also, residential students can also gain from staying on campus as much as possible for meals instead of driving off campus. The food may be better off campus, but the people and connections you can make from eating with others at the dining hall will make up for it.
8. Take advantage of free stuff/offers
Many incoming students have a limited to no supply of spirit wear for their university/college, but instead of going to the bookstore to buy an overpriced t-shirt, you can probably get free shirts all over campus during the first few weeks of school. Just this year, I was able to get 2 t-shirts in one day without even going to all of the events that were going on that day. In addition to free shirts and other "swag" items given out by the truckload, free food is also quite abundant during this time from free nachos to free icecream to free popcorn. Lastly, many campus services may offer special discounts to students during this time like $10 worth of free printing or raffles to win a gift basket.
9. Don't be too quick to judge
This one is admittedly broad as it can apply to people, classes, clubs, or even the campus as a whole. The first few weeks are often completely different from how the rest of the semester is and it may take everyone, professors included, some time to get back into gear and find a routine again. It can also be really easy to judge your fellow classmates, but try not to. Everyone tries to make a good impression in the beginning, so it can be hard to see what's genuine and what's not. Give everyone the benefit of the doubt and then let the chips fall where they may.
10. Be Yourself
Alright, you knew it was probably coming, the cheesy "be yourself" tip. Lots of people like to dress up and wear lots of make up their first few days of college, and I can understand the desire to make a good impression on the faculty and your classmates, but it's really unnecessary as you may see many (or possibly all) upperclassmen wearing t-shirts and running shorts to class. Don't try acting like someone you're not, because then the friendships you make won't be as genuine and as the year goes by, making new friends becomes more difficult, so don't set yourself up for failure in this area.
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