It’s that time of year again, when winter holidays are coming to an end, and the joys of Christmas and New Years have been pushed to the back of your mind. It’s the start of a new semester though!  With the start of this new semester coming up, I thought that it would be a good idea to write a checklist of things to do on the first day of classes.  I know some of these things seem like no-brainers, but a lot of the things on the checklist are often overlooked.  Be sure to scan over this list before heading to class at the start of the new semester!

The Checklist

Don’t Miss Class.  Make sure that you make it to class on time the first day.  You don’t want to make a bad first impression and be that guy walking into class ten minutes late.

Get a Syllabus & keep up with it. This one is obvious, but you don’t want to be the guy who asks for another one on the second day of class.  The syllabus is the single most important piece of paper that you are going to receive all year.  It has a lot of information and sometimes as the schedule of the semester laid out.

Get Contact Info. Your professors contact information should be provided to you.  If it is not though, make sure you obtain things like their email, office hours, etc.

Find Out About Textbooks. Make sure you know the correct edition of the book, and find out if you even need the book before you rent it or buy it.

Prepare a Notebook. Have a specific notebook or binder for every course and organize it.  Put all of your handouts you receive in this binder so you know where to find them.

Start Using an Agenda. From day one you should use an agenda to organize all of your schoolwork.  This can be anywhere from a notebook, to a computer app like Schoolhouse.

Network. The first day of class is a great time to connect with some of your classmates and exchange names and numbers. This will really come in handy if you forget an assignment or need a partner to study with.

Carry Along Your Schedule. This will save you from forgetting what time one of your classes starts.  It is a good idea to carry your schedule with you the first couple of weeks until you have it memorized. I always record my schedule into my phone.  That way, I will always have it since I always have my phone.

Be Prepared to Introduce Yourself. If you are in a smaller class, there is a chance that the teacher will have everyone introduce themselves.  Be prepared with an interesting fact or two about yourself.

Find the Perfect Route. If you go to a large school, chances are that there  multiple ways you can get from class to class. Find the best route and stick with it.

Conclusion

The first day of classes can be very hectic.  Just remember to keep a cool head and to keep these things in mind.  Your first day will go a lot smoother if you are prepared and know what to look for.

What About You?

What do you do to prepare for the first day of classes?  Do you have a certain routine that you like to stick with?