Dear Fellow Students,
Its syllabus week, yay! Here are a few tips to guide you through the week:
1. Get to know the campus.
When you arrive back on campus, it may look a little different: That dorm under construction may be finished, the new apartment complex will be up, and you're classes may be on a side of campus you are not familiar with. Grab a friend and run through your class schedules or find a new, yummy lunch spot before classes. You will save a lot of stress and time if you get comfortable before hand.
2. Leave a little early for your first class, make a good impression and meet your professor.
Classes will only increase in difficulty and you will want to have the teachers on your side in case you need extra help or an emergency comes up throughout the semester. Also, you might want to wait a few weeks before you come to class looking like you've been riding the struggle bus all morning. In a class of 40 or less, you want to make a good impression right away.
3. Don't skip class.
Freshman, when the syllabus says, "attendance not mandatory," you still need to go to class, especially after big tests and exams. Some professors will reward your attendance with extra points.
4. Make sure that you treat your body right.
There are a lot of food options on and around campus, some healthy and some not-so-healthy. College is fun, but it is also a lot of give and take. You will be busy and poor time management is often a cause of poor overall health. Try your best to eat right, drink lots of water and head to the rec here and there. Your body will thank you.
5. Get schoolwork done first.
When assignments are given, try to finish them as soon as possible. Whether you're working, playing sports or involved in clubs, it is easy to put things on the back burner and forget about them. There is a lot of newfound freedom in college, so try to hold yourself accountable.
6. Attend the events.
Freshman or upperclassmen? It doesn't matter. You can always make new friends, experience new things and maybe get some free food while doing so. Don't miss out on what your university has to offer you.
7. Don't over commit.
Yes, it's the first week of school and, yes, some students may have a lot of free time, but everyone has different schedules and if you stretch yourself too thin, you will be miserable. You should definitely go out with friends and have some free time, just make sure that you plan out time to get things done.
8. Get help early on.
Try to find out what classes you will struggle in early on. Ask professors this week what their office hours look like, if you can get extra help from a tutor and if there are study groups available. Figuring all of this out early enough will prevent you from feeling behind later in the course and possibly dropping if you get to far behind.
9. Use this week as an example.
This week will involve a lot of change. You will meet new people and professors, attend new classes, and your work/school schedule will drastically change from summer. You will want to try new things or commit yourself more to things you were involved with last year. If you need a planner or a to-do list for each day of the week, use one. The semester will only get busier and, if you prepare now, you won't have to worry later.
