As we near the end of August and the beginning of September, we are entering move in season. The time of the year where nervous freshmen move away from home for the first time and sophomores, juniors and seniors return to their campuses. Move in can be a stressful time if you are a freshman and you may find that you are getting used to your surroundings during your first week of college. As I approach my sophomore year, here are 15 things to do during your first week to make it feel more like home.
15. Buy a Planner
Staying organized in college is a must. If you are on top of assignments, events and other important matters early in your semester, you immediately set yourself up for success later on.
14. Get acquainted with your RA.
Your RA or resident assistant is there to help you adjust and navigate college. They can be there when you need someone to talk to or when something bad has happened. Getting to know them or having a simple conversation can help you feel more comfortable in your new environment.
13. Familiarize yourself with the syllabus for your classes.
The first week of college is commonly referred to as syllabus week because your professors will usually spend the first two or three days covering the requirements and expectations for their classes. If you spend time looking over these very important pieces of paper, you will set yourself up for success because you will know how to navigate your classes.
12. Get to know the people on your floor.
Don't be shy. Learn the names of the people who live next to you. You may have more in common with these individuals than you thought.
11. Take a walk around the town your college is in.
Exploring your surroundings can be very important in getting comfortable. Grab your roommate and take a stroll. It will be a great bonding activity if you don't know each other that well.
10. Meet with your adviser.
Hopefully, your school has assigned you to someone in your major department who will assist you in keeping you on track during the next four years. Meeting with this individual can be a good idea early on to make yourself known to them and get advice and guidance early.
9. Get Involved
The idea of getting involved is a commonly repeated phrase you will hear a lot and it is important. It not only builds your resume but it allows you to meet people and make connections early on. If you find people similar to you early on, you will feel comfortable.
8. Take time to get your room setup completely.
If everything is unpacked and in the right place, there will be no need to dig through things and freak out over misplaced items. You will feel like you are at home and that your space is truly "your" space. It gives you a great feeling of independence and comfort ability.
7. Explore your campus.
Not only is exploring the "college town" important but so is exploring your campus. It is nice to know where the student center, library, and dining hall is. It gets ready of the embarrassment in asking someone where it is three weeks into the semester.
6. Get all your school supplies before the real work starts.
No one wants to scramble at the last minute for a specific kind of calculator or that super expensive textbook that you definitely need for the class.
5. Call or text your parents.
Keeping in touch with your parents is actually cool in college. No one is going to judge you for texting your parents or calling them regularly. It keeps you sane.
4. Call or text friends from high school.
Keeping in touch with friends from high school, camp, and elsewhere also keeps you sane but don't do it too much. It's nice to know that there are other people going through the same things. Don't keep in constant contact because space is necessary for getting fully situated.
3. Go to a party your first weekend.
Partying in college isn't for everyone but the best way to find out if it's your scene is to go to a party. If it's not, you can leave. If you do not like it, do not fret.
2. Take a nap.
Napping is key in college. I would not have survived freshman year if I hadn't taken two hours of the day to myself and snoozed comfortably for a little bit. it is energizing, relaxing and totally cool in college.
1. Get to know and bond with your roommate.
Going to college, you will hear more nightmare roommate stories than happy ones. It's gonna scare you into living alone but don't let it. Everyone's story is different. If you take the time to sit down and get to know the person you are living with, what could turn ugly later can be avoided. Learn what makes them tick, what they like and set rules for the room. Happy room, happy life.
Good luck to everyone this fall semester!!
