by Brenna Mae

Created on: June 30, 2008   Last Updated: February 29, 2012

While exciting and new, your first day of higher education may also be very stressful. Your first day is the day you make first impressions, not only with the new crowd at school, but with professors, TA's, roommates, and dormmates.

I think this title deserves to be split into two categories. There is the first day you move in to a dorm, or campus living, and in a way, that is like the first day of higher education. It is the day you enter into a brand new environment, and the life you will be living the next four years. There is also the first day classes begin. Getting lost and confused are all part of that dilemma. Here are some tips to guide you through both beginning stages in higher education.

1) First day of college life
The rush - a dreaded day for dorm-goers. This is the first day you're allowed to move into the dorms or apartments, and EVERYBODY is moving in. On my first day, the building I was moving into was a mess. Not only were they moving in 800+ young and excited freshman in one day, but they were doing it in a building with old, cranking elevators that broke down half the time. For someone living on the 7th floor, like myself, carrying a loft and mattress up seven flights of stairs was not an option.

So here's the first tip: either come very early to move in, or later in the evening. It's usually crowded by about 9 a.m., so unless you're really an early bird, I'm going to stress the evening. Find a place for your family to stay for the night and show up to your new campus around 4 p.m. Moving in will take an hour to an hour-and-a-half, rather than five hours during the day.

Tip two: Once all moved in, keep the dorm door open and meet new people right away. The people living on your floor are the people you will see the most this first year of college. Introduce each other and be open-minded. Get to know people, and go hang out in the common area for a while. These people can be a lot of help later on with classes, studying or basic living problems.

2) First day of classes
Tip three: Don't find where your classes are on your first day of classes. Before the big day, walk around the campus and find all the buildings you'll need to transport to. This way you can also get to know where other important locations may be - like the library, food venues or your advisor's office.

Tip four: Come to your first day of classes prepared. Pick up your books ahead of time and bring at least paper, pen/pencil and the required textbook for each class.

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