Many people find the first week of college to be scary and overwhelming. Between meeting so many new people and realizing all the work you have gotten yourself into; it can be quite intimidating. There are some things you can do to lighten your load and stress levels.
1. Be Organized
One of the best things you can do is to be organized. Take all of your materials for each class and put them in certain stacks, notebooks, folders on your computer; anywhere that would best for you. Put your syllabus for each class with the other things for that class. Have your desk set up in a way that is easy for you to use and still have space to work.
2. Calendar (aka New best friend)
Your calendar and or planner will become your new best friend. Take your syllabi, read them, and put all of the dates for homework, tests, quizzes, and any other important dates in it. This helps you remember when things are due, and you can plan out when you need to start studying for the test (not the night before).You can also put any social engagements or club meetings on the calendar.
3. To-Do Lists
Making to-do lists will help you know what you need to do right now rather than wait until two hours before an assignment is due. This is especially helpful when you get to that point in the semester where everything is due at once. I like to put things on my list in order of due date that way if for some reason I don't get to one; it will be okay to wait until tomorrow. For me; to do lists help calm the anxiety of seeing everything all at once.
4.Talk To Your Professors
If you have any kind of (legitimate)health condition that will cause you to miss class; talk to your professors. Most of your professors will be willing to work with you. Most of the time you will have to get some kind of excuse either from the school nurse/ infirmary or your doctor to confirm the sickness. At my school there are a certain number of classes you can miss but if you go over on days you fail the class because of absences (most colleges don't have programs to make up missed class time)
5. Get To Know Your Roommate
You are going to be living with this person all year long; you are going to have to learn wether or not this person snores, how cold or warm they like to keep the room. how clean they like to keep things, and many more. Hopefully you will get along with your roommate so it will be a pleasant experience,
The first few weeks of college can be daunting; with the right tools and sometimes a little help, college will become some of the best years of your life.
