The first week of classes is almost like a culture shock. After almost three months of beautiful weather and minimal responsibility, the first few days of the semester can be completely overwhelming. Between the new people and the new schedules, there are many stressors college students face.

1. So. Many. New. Faces.

You want to make friends, but you don’t know where to begin! Or maybe you don’t want to meet anybody new, and that’s completely fine. The first day of classes can be nerve-wracking, especially for those with any kind of social anxiety.

2. Professors

Rate My Professor is a great tool for figuring out the basics about a certain professor. Sometimes emotions can get the best of somebody and they may leave an inaccurate review, including a very praising one. Use your own instincts to judge what a class will be like. If a professor seems to be completely unbearable and the syllabus agrees, consider dropping the class and adding a new one! If you have to stick with it, remember that the administration always wants what’s best for students.

3. Books

Am I going to need it? Is it a waste of money? Am I getting the best deal? Why are they SO expensive? A lot of questions go into the book buying process. Your best bet is to email professors ahead of time or just wait until the first class. If they don’t address it during their initial introductory period, wait after class and ask! Nobody knows the class better than the professor.

4. Sleep

Did you have a lit summer? Did you work a lot? Or were you nose deep in summer classes? No matter your summer circumstances, you most likely did not have the best sleep schedule. After all, days off are for sleeping and nights are for fun. Now that 8:00 AM classes are a thing again, it’s a struggle to get out of bed on time. And don’t even think about trying to get breakfast beforehand

5. Comfort

Summer is a time of home cooked meals, a personal living space, and Netflix. For many of us, school includes dining hall materials that they suggest is food, a shared space (with one, two, or up to five people), and still, Netflix. We eat Ramen noodles because they’re inexpensive and easy, and the dining hall makes us cringe. If you go to a college with great food on campus, consider yourself one of the lucky few. Comfort is one of the things we miss at college, but it makes breaks that much sweeter.

After conquering the first week of classes, it's all uphill from there. Despite the struggles, the first week is monumental for what could be the best years of our lives.