Tips For Surviving Your First Day of Higher Education

While exciting and new, your first day of higher2) First day of classes
education may also be very stressful. Your first dayTip three: Don't find where your classes are on your
is the day you make first impressions, not only withfirst day of classes. Before the big day, walk around
the new crowd at school, but with professors, TA's,the campus and find all the buildings you'll need to
roomates, and dorm-mates.transport to. This way you can also get to know
I think this title deserves to be split into twowhere other important locations may be, like the
categories. There is the first day you move in to alibrary, food venues, or your advisor's office.
dorm, or campus living, and in a way, that is like theTip four: Come to your first day of classes prepared.
first day of higher education. It is the day you enterPick up your books ahead of time, and bring at least
into a brand new environment, and the life you will bepaper, pen/pencil, and the required textbook for each
living the next 4 years. There is also the first dayclass. Some professors will give you assignments on
classes begin. Getting lost and confused are all apartthe first day, and you'll need to write them down.
of that dilemma. Here are some tips to guide youOthers will give you important information about the
through both beginning stages in higher education.class and schedule that you'll need to remember.
1) First day of college lifeBesides all that, you'll be handed a ton of syllabuses
The rush-a dreaded day for dorm goers. This is theand schedules to keep track of.
first day you're allowed to move into the dorms orTip five: Try to sit in the first three rows in a lecture.
apartments, and EVERYBODY is moving in. On myThey told me this at freshman orientation, and I
first day, the building I was moving into was a mess.laughed at first. I learned quickly, however, how
Not only were they moving in 800+ young andmuch it does matter. It's a great way to get a good
excited freshman on one day, but they were doing itfirst impression with your professor. My second
in a building with old, cranking elevators that brokesemester I started sitting in the 3rd row for a class I
down half the time. For someone living on the 7thhad to repeat. When I came in for help with one of
floor, like myself, carrying a loft and mattress up 7my assignments, I introduced myself to my
flights of stairs was not an option.professor, and to my surprise, although he didn't
So here's the first tip: either come very early toknow my name, he knew me and knew exactly
move in, or later in the evening. It's usually crowdedwhere I sat. Because of this, he knew I showed up
by about 9am, so unless you're really an early bird,to class nearly everyday, and was truly focusing on
I'm going to stress the evening. Find a place for yourhis lecture, and was happy to help me with my
family to stay for the night, and show up to yourassignment. Happy to say, I passed that class the
new campus around 4pm. Moving in will take and hoursecond time with flying colors.
to an hour and a half, rather than five hours duringSitting in the first few rows can also help you
the day.concentrate on the material being taught. It's easy to
Tip two: Once all moved in, keep the dorm doorspace off or start doodling when you're tired,
open, and meet new people right away. The peoplefrustrated, or just not interested in the current unit.
living on your floor are the people you will see theIt's material you need to know however, and staying
most this first year of college. Introduce each otherfocused is key.
and be open minded. Get to know people, and goSo good luck. If you do end up showing late for a
hang out in the common area for awhile. Theseclass or miss out on an assignment, don't worry, it's
people can be a lot of help later on with classes,not the end of the world. College is a learning
studying, or basic living problems.process, and not only academically.