For most people, one of the most terrifying parts of college is actually starting it. You're out living on your own for the first time ever, often you're rooming with someone you've never met in person, there's pressure to go out and party and have fun all while maintaining a good GPA, and you're expected to come in knowing almost exactly what kind of career you want when it's all said and done. All of this is flying at you before you even set foot on campus. Shippensburg University is no different; when I first got here, it just seemed like there was so much I was expected to know but didn't. Even all throughout Welcome Week, I was learning new stuff every single day, and I didn't even fully understand how the meal swipe system worked here until at least halfway through my first semester. So, for all you Shippensburg newbies out there, don't worry; I've got your back! Here are the top 5 things all incoming Ship students should do:

1. Download the Outlook app and turn on notifications for it.

In college, the primary means of communication with professors and fellow students alike is email, and Shippensburg is no different. Despite what your high school teachers will say, professors in college are just as likely to email back at the very last minute as you are, so it's important to have notifications turned on so you don't miss any important updates regarding assignments or exams. Also, waking up to an email saying one of your classes is canceled is one of the best feelings ever.

2. Familiarize yourself with D2L.

Desire 2 Learn/D2L is an online platform used by both Shippensburg University and Millersville University that allows professors to upload and share important documents, homework assignments, and class notes, in addition to letting them post student grades and critical class updates. Not every professor uses it as often as they should, but for the most part, it's definitely one of your most important tools as a Shippensburg student.

3. Download the free copy of Microsoft Office Ship gives you.

This one is a little tricky to track down, as it requires you to navigate your MyShip page quite a bit in order to find the download link, but it's definitely worth the hassle. I know you're thinking "why don't I just use Google Docs?" and the answer is that some professors will want you to add really specific elements to your papers, which is generally easier to do on Microsoft Word.

4. Get in the habit of checking your syllabuses daily.

This is something even a lot of older students struggle with. Really, it only takes about 5 minutes out of your day at most to do this, and it can have such a huge impact on your grades. Different professors set different rules, so it's important to review your syllabuses before deciding to do something like skip class or turn in an assignment late because some professors have no issue with doing either of those things, while other professors don't accept late work at all. Furthermore, a lot of professors will include things like course schedules, grading rubrics for large assignments, tutoring information, and instructions on how to navigate online resources in their syllabus.

5 Explore the MyShip portal.

The MyShip portal is an essential tool for all Shippensburg students. If you're having an issue with anything at all, chances are there is something in the MyShip portal to help you. Wanna change your meal plan? MyShip portal. Wanna schedule a tutoring session? MyShip portal. Wanna print out your class schedule? MyShip portal. Wanna plan your future classes? MyShip portal. Wanna check your grades? You get the idea.