1.Have a pen ready to go. On the first day you’re not going to be doing much of anything, but you will need to be prepared to do some writing. Some teachers like to give handouts to complete so they can get to know you better, make you sign some contracts, etc. They’ll also let you know what kind of materials you’ll need for class so be ready to jot those down.

2. Bring a notebook/planner. You’ll be finding out important dates, books you’ll need to buy and other important information you’ll want to write down. Get yourself a planner and make good use of it. It’s the first day so I know you’re excited, keep the momentum and enter dates into your agenda--it helps!

3. Bring your student ID or have it memorized. With some of the paperwork teachers have you complete you’ll have to put down your ID. Get used to it, in your large lecture classes most professors disregard names on papers and solely go off student IDs. It’s basically your identity for the rest of college.

4. Come prepared with an interesting thing about yourself. Unfortunately the ice-breaker games didn’t stay with you in high school. In your smaller classes the professor will likely make you stand up and say your name, major and one interesting thing about yourself. If you’re lucky you won’t have to play the toilet paper game, but I’ll let you figure that one out for yourself. Be prepared and have a few interesting things about yourself ready to go before class just to be safe. You don’t want to be the student that says, “My name is Taylor, I’m an undecided major, and there’s really nothing interesting about myself.”

5. Check D2L and your email the night before class. Some teachers will put things online that they’ll want you to print out and complete before class, don’t start off on a bad foot by being unprepared.

6. Scroll through the roster prior to the first day. On D2L you can view the class roster and see all who are enrolled. This is helpful for the first day. Nerves get the best of us, so going into a class where you know someone will make you feel better. Make sure you text them before class so you can sit together in those big lectures.

7. Hold up on buying all of your textbooks. Please, do not go to the bookstore before classes start and drop $500 on your books. We’ve all done it, but it’s not worth the money. Unless you need an access code for a class, there’s no reason to buy it new. Check Chegg and Amazon before making purchases at your school bookstore, ask upperclassmen if you can buy their discounted books or see if you can share a book with a friend. Don’t forget that the library has a copy of every book, so if you’re dedicated enough to study there, don’t bother dropping a dime on books. The teacher will also let you know if you absolutely need to buy them on the first day.

8. Don’t show up in wedges and a sundress. This would totally be acceptable in high school, but you’ll stick out like a sore thumb on your first day. You don’t have to embrace an oversized t-shirt and tennis shoes for your first day, but looking your Sunday best is not necessary. Keep it casual.

9. Map out your classes before coming to campus. When classes start, especially the first week, there will be more people on campus than you thought could be possible. You’ll have plenty of people more than willing to give you directions to your building, but to cut down on time make sure you know where you’re going before you get to campus.

10. Have a friend drop you off, or arrive to find parking half an hour, at the latest, before class. Parking is absolutely the worst thing on campus. The professors often understand if you’re a few minutes late, because they, too, have to deal with parking, but make sure you’re on time for your first day.

11. Leave the phone in your purse. Like high school, some professors have zero tolerance for cellphones in class. They may get lenient as the semester goes on, but for the first day test the waters and see how it goes. You’ll need to be paying attention, and the first day only lasts for about half an hour anyways.

12. Call your mom or dad after class is over. They’re just as excited as you are for your first day, but probably as nervous, too. They’ll be thrilled to know you didn’t forget about them as you start your new college journey, and their encouraging words will help you get through if you’re homesick.

13. Take pictures. You might think this is lame now, but family members on Facebook, friends from far away, and yourself in 10 years will appreciate this picture. This is an exciting time in your life and you want to document it with people who love you.

14. Don’t stress or be nervous. Everyone on campus this first week of school is so welcoming, including the professors. College truly is the best four years of your life if you let it be.

15. Take the free stuff. Students on campus have been preparing for your arrival for months. They’ve racked up free stuff for every day of our first week, get the free food that they’re handing out on the oval, as well as the coupons.

16. It’s not always a weed-out class. A lot of professors will tell you an Intro class for your major is a weed-out to see who can actually enter into the major. Don’t take this too seriously. As long as you go to class, stay on top of your studies and complete your work you will be more than fine. Don’t be part of the percentage of students that drinks itself off campus after the first semester.