Navigating Semester 1: Advice for First-Years

Welcome to the next chapter of your academic journey! In this guide, we'll navigate the crucial initial weeks at your chosen college or university.

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Navigating College: Advice for First-Years

"Whether you're studying electrical engineering or poetry, college is not about maximizing income, it's about becoming a better and more informed observer of the universe. And for me, at least, that what's leads to a more fulfilling life." – John Green

You're in! Now what? The next steps we're going to walk you through aim to set you up for success in the first few weeks at your chosen college or university. In this guide for students (and parents looking to understand this part of the process) we will walk through some of the most important steps our staff, alumni, and college counselors recommend for all first-year students.

Let's Talk About Orientation
Week 0

You'll all be surprised with the infinite prompts college orientation counselors keep in their back pocket to "break the ice." And while inevitably there will be a scavenger hunt at some point during your orientation, we also have a few side quests we recommend you complete during your first week on campus:

Friend #1 - Financial Aid Office

Know where the office is. Befriend the office workers. They will be your advocates, your resource, and the people who will help you figure out everything you need to make financial aid a breeze!

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Especially for those students who are expected to get refunds as part of any merit and full ride scholarships. This office can help keep you in the loop of how to ensure those are expedited.

Get Oriented (Geographically)

Figure out where your dorm is in relation to your classes, familiarize yourself with the quickest paths to and from your classes, and please figure out where the bathrooms are (ideally before you need them). Your first week of classes might be packed, you may be stressing about the location of the different rooms, during orientation take mental notes of where everything is so you're not late for your first week.

Call Your People

They are probably wondering how you are handling, might be a good idea to call them on the first night and let them know you're okay!

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It is not uncommon for parents and family members to call your RA, an administrator, or even the police just to get you on the phone. So if you know how your folks are... call them to save everyone the hassle. Please (:

Bonus Points: Get Some Sleep

You will be tempted to want to do everything and hang out with everyone, but try to make sure you're getting enough sleep! Your brain needs rest to remember all those names and think of answers to the ice breakers anyway.

First Week of Classes!
Week 1

Go to the Library & Get Your Books

Your syllabi are typically made available via an online app your school is using like Canvas or Moodle and the list of materials (aka books) will be included there, but please do not buy your books yet! Read our tip below first:

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Pro Tip: Don't buy any books until at least you've attended the class or can see problem sets and reading required from the syllabus. If you do have to acquire a book check your campus and city libraries, look for copies at Goodwill in your college town, or ask resources including 2nd and 3rd years who may be willing to sell them their lightly used copy for much cheaper than the bookstore.

Attend At Least One Campus Event

Many events happen that first week of class so take advantage of the free food, passed-down-knowledge, and networking opportunities especially since the year hasn't ramped up yet. The office of Study Abroad might host an information session with free snacks, the multicultural and affinity groups might host a carnival, or your school of arts, science, etc. might host an open house. Pick one and check it out!

Go to a Club Event

Go find like-minded people, or people who sound like they may have something interesting to teach.

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Greek Life isn't a club! We recommend that you do not even consider this until the end of your first year. Go join the improv or acapella team instead. We'll be cheering you on from afar whenever you come across our feed.

Bonus Points: Meet With Your Academic Advisor!

Your Academic Advisor is your guide to graduation. Make your introductions now before everyone else begins to fill their time.

Second Week of Class
Week 2

Go to Class

Seriously, go to class.

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Based on the average cost of college in the united states where tuition is $37,000 a year, missing 1 class is the equivalent to taking $400 out of your pocket and setting it on fire.

Organize Your Deadlines

You've probably figured out that there's a ton to keep track of. Tests, exams, quizzes, projects, and a whole host of deadlines, midterms, and finals will conflict with your personal plans, travel plans, club activities, and more things. Create a Semester Syllabus where you organize all of your assignments and due dates on a week by week basis. This way, you can plan around the busiest parts of a semester. Here's a template you can use: semester syllabus template.

Do Your Laundry

You might forget, so here is a reminder!

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Most students leave laundry until Sunday so plan around the busy times!

Check On Your Budget

Week 2 is the perfect time to check in on your spending! Compare if you should spend your dollars the on campus latte vs the one in town with a free discount. Assess your toiletries - by now you should have an idea on how much you are using and can plan ahead to see what you'll have to replace and when.

Midterms – Round 1
October

reese witherspoon GIF — **and happy people don't snap at their roommates (:**

Clean your room

By now you're probably over the point where everything feels shiny and new and exciting and hitting peak stress times. Cleaning your room will give you somewhere to direct your energy and help you feel better about studying in your space.

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Fun fact: cleaning gets your body moving which helps release endorphins aka the happiness hormones. This is a great time to get your body moving: take a dance class, go on a walk, play ultimate frisbee.

Visit the Career Center

Every college or university has an office dedicated to helping you find great jobs after graduation, the problem is most students don't visit it until senior year (if they visit at all). A career center may host resume workshops, networking events, help you prepare for interviews, and even keep a list of internship opportunities for underclassmen. Some career centers even keep gently used professional clothing that they can loan out for interviews!

Go to Office Hours

Office hours are designated times when professors are literally sitting in their office waiting for students to come speak with them. We recommend you attend these as early as possible in the semester, but this is a good time to check in and maybe even get some extra help for the upcoming midterms. Don't be shy, this is part of a professor's job description. You're not inconveniencing them by showing up. Remember that asking questions is an essential part of learning!

Don't know how to start the conversation? Bring in those pesky problem set questions you haven't been able to understand or the essay prompt you're stuck on.

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Say "Hello Professor, I'm having trouble with _________ could you help me through the process again?" or if you're totally chill with the class material say "Hello Professor, I found [insert topic here] that you discussed in lecture the other day fascinating, could you share a bit more about your research/studies/thought process?"

Book Holiday Travel

Look at your syllabus, your school's finals schedule, and talk to your professors to figure out when you'll be able to leave campus for the holidays. Use google flights to compare prices and book your travel early. It'll save you a headache later, we promise!

Finals – Round 1
December

Try different study spaces

Don't get stuck in the main campus library where everyone is stressed and smells like Cheetos. Study in common rooms, at smaller libraries, in graduate school atriums, or in the city beyond the gates of your institution. Keeping your study location fresh can actually help you not fall asleep while studying and aid in recall.

Drink water, eat greens, get sunshine, get sleep.

One of the best pieces of advice I received in college was this: treat yourself like a plant. If you're wilting you're probably in need of water, nutrients, sunshine, or rest. This is the time when it is tempting to chug coffee and energy drinks, pull all-nighters, and snack on nothing but candy and fries. While this is usually part of the college experience, don't forget to throw some good-for-you things in there. Alternate between water and caffeine, have a salad with the fries, and please if you take nothing else: get some sleep!

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Bonus tip: read over your notes or jot down some thoughts before you go to sleep. Science shows that your brain can help you processes problems in your dreams so you may find it easier to solve a tough equation or recall some dates in the morning after some rest.

Wash your sheets!

That's it. Just a reminder in case you hadn't done this already.