Every college or university has their own version of New Student Week. I attend Otterbein University and we call it ‘First Flight Week’. Every August, the new Otterbein students have days of fun activities, events, academic meetings and welcomes into the Otterbein Family. The activity-packed schedule can seem daunting to anyone, which is why I’m giving you my eight ways to make the most of First Flight Week.

1. Leave Your Residence Hall

One of the main goals of First Flight Week is to give the new students an opportunity to get to know each other before classes start. You won’t get to know anyone if you don’t leave your residence hall. Give yourself a chance to meet other people and make friends.

2. Go To At Least Two Events Each Day

It takes more than simply leaving your residence hall to meet people and make friends. Go to at least a couple events a day. Different events provide different environments to meet people. If one event isn’t your thing, then the next one might be.

3. Introduce Yourself

Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to the person standing next to you. If you don’t introduce yourself, there is no guarantee that they will. Chances are they probably don’t know many people at the university yet either. You might not meet your best friend waiting in line for dinner, but you might.

4. Step Outside of Your Comfort Zone

In new situations, it’s easy to stick with only the things we are comfortable doing. You might find that if you push yourself just outside your comfort zone, you’ll enjoy something you never thought you’d even try. So try playing volleyball for the first time, do a line dance, talk to the cute stranger – you don’t know what can happen if you don’t try.

5. Know The Schedule

If you don’t know what’s happening and when, you could miss out on something enjoyable.

6. Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover

Yes, this one sounds a little cliché, but it’s true. In college, you’ll meet many different types of people you may have never had previous contact with. Keep an open mind because everyone is not who they seem.

7. Take It In

Don’t let First Flight Week go by too quickly. Make sure you pause and take things in while they’re happening. You only get one First Flight Week. When classes start, things won’t be like this and you’ll be wishing you could go back and experience it one more time.

8. Have Fun

Most importantly, remember to have fun along the way. First Flight Week is the start of your college experience, the start of your college memories. Start off college on a positive note by making great memories with the greater people who you met along the way.