It is finally upon us: the first week of classes. Some may be excited, some may be nervous, and others are probably dreading it. Regardless of your current feelings towards the beginning of the semester, there are some pretty important things you need to do this week.

1. Set Goals

The beginning of a new semester is like a second New Year's Day. The first week of classes is a great time to set new goals for the upcoming semester. Whether those goals are academic, social, or heath related, it’s always good to start out with a new set of things to accomplish in the new semester.

2. Organize Your Planner

If you are anything like me, you’ll probably need a planner (or three). I have three different planners or calendars in my room, one assignment schedule (Click HERE to see how to make an assignment schedule!) one with tests, meetings, and campus activities, and one with everything under the sun. Take time in the first week to copy your syllabi into your planner. Don’t forget to put in club and organization meetings, birthdays, breaks, and other important dates. This way you will never miss anything!

3. Textbooks and Course Packs

After syllabus days, you need to make sure you have ordered your textbooks, or picked up course packs from the bookstore. Some professors don’t require the books, allow older editions, or have links for free books. Once you have all this information, it’s time to collect your books!

4. School Supplies

I LOVE shopping for school supplies. There is just something abut picking out notebooks and pens that makes me smile. Now that you know what your course requires, you can decide what types of school supplies you need. How many notebooks, folders, and writing utensils you might need!

5. Scope Out Your Professor's Office

This can save your life. If you need to talk to a professor during office hours, you don’t want to waste time trying to find their offices. Just a quick look at the syllabus and a short walk and you can become familiar with the locations of these offices.

6. Decide on Clubs and Organizations

There are so many clubs and organizations on campus, you can’t be in them all. The first week is a great time to decide what you want to do. Remember, don’t spread yourself too thin, you’re still a student first.

7. Get Ahead on Readings

This one isn’t so fun, but can be very helpful. Many classes have heavy reading loads and using the easiest week of the semester to get ahead is smart.

8. Get Into a Good Sleep Schedule

You’re just coming back from summer, the land of awful sleep schedules. Now is a great time to figure out when you need to wake up to make it to class on time, and when you need to go to bed so you aren’t a zombie in the morning.

9. Set Up Your Room

Whether you're in a dorm room or apartment, use the first week to really settle into your new living space. Hang up your décor, display your stuffed animal collection, plants, fish, whatever, just personalize the room. It’s where you’ll be living for at least the next three months. Really make it feel like home, a place to relax, study, and live.

10. Plan Fun Activities

It’s not all work at college, it's fun, too! Plan for fun date nights with roommates or your significant other. Set aside days in advance so you can plan around them. This can be as simple as watching a movie in your dorm with friends, or as complicated as a weekend road trip!

11. Participate In Welcome Week Activities

Your university's student organizations have put a lot of time and effort into planning a week of activities just for you. Take advantage of these free events and soak up the last free moments before the rush of the semester.

Here's to the beginning of a new semester! May the odds be ever in our favor!