by Mdmse. Amelie

Created on: June 27, 2008   Last Updated: August 31, 2010

Since I had no idea what I was getting myself into, I looked like the biggest dork on my first day of college.  My big mistake: not buying any of my books yet because I thought they would be passed out at the beginning of class (as was customary in high school).  Few people can top that one, but if it were my only dysfunction of the day I would had been OK.  Looking back on that first year, I have a little advice to help out anyone who wants their first day at college to go well:

1)  What to bring? On the first day you don't want to bog yourself down carrying around textbooks because you probably won't need them in the classroom anyway. You definitely need a pocketbook agenda or some kind of PDA. You will also want a notebook, a pen, and a bottle of water in addition to the usual cell phone, wallet and keys.

2)  Start your day knowing where to go. Have your class schedule entered in the agenda the day before your first class. Scope out the campus map before leaving home so that you aren't wandering lost through the hallways. Better yet: if you're living in the dorms you probably will have a chance to go and check out where the buildings are and, if the front door is open, even find out where the room is located.

3)  Once in the classroom, pick a good seat. People will tend to sit in the same seat or general area over and over again so it becomes unofficial where you will sit for the next semester. If you're serious about getting a 4.0 g.p.a., then you want to sit in the front where it is easy to hear the instructor and pay attention.  Or maybe you'll linger outside until you can see where the class hotties end up!

4)  Try starting a conversation with the stranger next to you before class starts. The easiest question in the world, "Is this Astronomy 100?" or whatever course you're taking. You will probably have some sort of group work in at least one of your classes: labs will have partners, lots of classes have group papers and presentations at the end of the year, and study groups can be very helpful if you have a final exam. In short, you want to make some connections and now is a good time to start. Or if you're feeling shy, just smile!

5)  The syllabus is GOLD. Most instructors follow it to the letter and most syllabi will have a calendar outlining exactly what is going to be covered each time the class meets as well as exams and homework assignments. Some instructors don't even announce tests or homework-

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