It is the first week of school for a lot of U.S. college students. Winter break was long and cold, and being back with your friends was the light at the end of the tunnel. It can be easy to get caught up in all of the excitement, and it is even easier to convince ourselves that this first week does not matter, academically. But that mentality is sadly wrong, and it can throw you off track for the entire semester. 

As the semester goes on, work piles up, and if you are already behind from your week of play, it is only going to get worse. Here's how to keep from getting buried under over-lapping coursework. 

Use Your syllabus. Your professors give them to you for a reason. Write important dates down in your planner, record them in your cell phone. Whatever you use to stay on track --do it now, or it will sneak up on you later.

Visit office hours. There will come that point in the semester when every last second of your time is precious, and visiting your professor seems impossible to squeeze in. Visit them, now, while you have plenty of time on your hands, if you have any questions about upcoming assignments they cannot answer in class. 

Pay attention. Show your interest from day one and create the right impression. We all know what it's like to show up to class after an all-nighter, so showing your professor you care, now, will set the stage for forgiveness if you are rather groggy a time or two.

Be social, not crazy. There is nothing wrong with catching up with all of your friends, but you would not even have them without the college you are paying to attend. Try grabbing lunch with them during the day instead of drinks at night. It will make for more meaningful conversation, and keep you from ruining the sleep schedule you worked so hard on over break.