Is your first day of college coming up and you’re not sure what to expect? Well don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
As a recent college graduate, it hasn’t been too long since my first day of college. In this post, I share some tips that will get you through your first day of college!
What To Expect on Your First Day of College?
On your first day of college, arrive early and be prepared to work. If your professor is more relaxed it will be a shorter class and you will be dismissed early. The first day of college is a great way to meet new people so don’t be afraid to socialize.
In this post, I share 13 tips on what to expect on your first day of college. I also talk about what you need to bring to class on your first day and what to do on your first day of college.
13 Tips for Your First Day of College
1. Be Early, Do Not Sleep In!
Although it may be tempting to sleep in for that extra 15 minutes, turn off your alarm and get up. For your 1st day of college you want to get ready early so you can arrive to class a few minutes before it starts.
Showing up to class early will give you time to make sure that you are at the right class, get a good spot and even meet some of your classmates.
2. Be Prepared to Work
I know it’s the first day and it can be overwhelming, but be prepared to work. Many professors will begin class on the first day so be ready to take notes.
If you’re lucky, your professor may briefly go over the course outline and let you go early, but there are no guarantees.
3. If You Have Bad Eyesight, Sit Close
Classrooms will be a lot bigger in college than in high school. So, if you have bad eyesight, make sure to arrive early so you can get a spot in the front. Trust me, the last thing you want is to miss important information on the first day because you couldn’t see properly.
If you have glasses, this is your reminder to bring them on your first day!
4. Be Attentive
On the first day, teachers will go through important dates and discuss what you are going to learn throughout the semester. Make sure you pay close attention so you avoid missing any crucial information.
If your teacher starts teaching right away, make sure you are paying attention and taking notes. In college, it’s really easy to fall behind so being attentive from the start is a good way to kick off your semester.
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5. Do Not Skip
You may think that because it’s your first day you won’t miss anything important. Well, this is wrong.
On the first day of class, you’ll find out what you’re going to be doing throughout the semester, what the teacher expects of you and sometimes you’ll begin learning right away.
Skipping class early on in the semester can lead to a very bad habit that a lot of students fall into. It’s better to start the semester off right and go to all of your classes. Once you skip one class it becomes a lot easier to skip other classes.
Do your best to attend every class!
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
If there is something you’re not sure of, don’t be afraid to put your hand up and ask. It’s better to ask your question instead of waiting and not getting an answer. If you don’t want to ask the teacher, ask the student next to you. Everyone is there to learn and other students will help when they can.
If you are shy don’t be afraid to ask the teacher after class. If you wait till after class, you’ll be able to ask the teacher your question and it will give you the chance to introduce yourself to the teacher.
7. Make Friends
The first day of college is a great time to make friends. If you don’t know anybody, don’t worry. Many other students are in the exact same position that you are in. Don’t be afraid to make small talk with the student sitting next to you. Having friends in your classes will make college more fun.
If you make a friend, a fun activity you guys can do is find your classes together. Chances are the other student will also be new, so if you guys work together you will be able to find all of your classes (which can be hard to find at times).
8. Eat Before Class
Eating before class will make it much easier to learn. Take a couple minutes in the morning to eat some breakfast. It will keep you energetic and focused throughout your first day.
Getting in the habit of eating properly throughout the day in college is a really good idea. Eating well will make it easier to retain information and you will find that you are a lot more energetic throughout the day.
9. Make Sure You Are in the Right Class
The absolute worst thing that can happen on your first day is going to the wrong class. If you don’t make sure that you’re at the right class before going in, it will be embarrassing. When you finally realize you are in the wrong class, you will either have to stay till the end or you will have to walk out in the middle of class.
To avoid this from happening, arrive early and make sure you are at the right class. Sometimes classes can be hard to find, so give yourself time to find the classrooms.
10. Dress Appropriately for Class
For your first day of college, you are going to want to play it safe and dress a little nicer. You will see the first week everyone dresses nicely. Later on in the semester you will see students begin coming to college in sweatpants and sweaters.
If you are unsure how to dress check out this article: What to Wear in College for Guys
11. Write Important Dates in Your Agenda
On your first day of college, writing down all the important dates in your agenda is great idea. Teachers will give dates for exams, midterms and important assignments. Writing all the important dates in your agenda at the beginning of the semester will keep you organized.
12. Keep An Open-Mind
In college, you may have to take some courses that are out of your comfort zone. It’s important to keep an open-mind and have a positive attitude, especially on the first day of class.
By having an open mind, you’ll get the most out of the class, and you may discover some new interests.
13. Make Sure Your Devices Are Charged
Whether you’re using a tablet, laptop, or phone, be sure that they are charged. Although some classes may have electrical outlets, many don’t.
You’ll want to charge your devices in advance so you don’t have to worry about them running out of battery in class. The last thing you want to happen on your first day of college is being unable to take notes because your device ran out of power.
What To Bring To Class on the First Day in College
Backpack
Make sure to have a backpack on the first day of college. Having a backpack will keep you organized and give you a place to keep all your belongings and school essentials.
Notebook
For your first day of college, you’ll need a notebook for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, you’ll want to write down important dates and information in your notebook. As well, if your professor begins teaching you are going to want your notebook to take notes.
Even if you don’t use it it’s good to carry around with you on your first day.
Laptop or IPad
If you take notes on your laptop or iPad, you should bring it on your first day of college. You are going to want to use them for keeping track of important information on the first day. Having you laptop or iPad will also give you the chance to prepare documents for you class which will keep you organized.
Pens / Pencils
If you plan on writing anything down you will be needing pens or pencils. Make sure to bring a couple extra incase one breaks or does not work. Having extra pens and pencils will come in handy at some point during the semester, so always keep extra!
Food and Water
Your first day will most likely be a long one. Pack some food and water so you don’t get thirsty or hungry. Always have extra water in your water bottle so you don’t have to leave class to get water.
If you get hungry in class, most teachers won’t a problem with you eating a small snack. Try to avoid eating snacks that have a strong smell or big meals. Remember to be respectful and quiet when you are eating.
Agenda
A great way to stay organized is to have an agenda. Write down all the important dates in your agenda at the beginning of the semester and stay up to date with what you have to do.
If you use your agenda properly you will never miss assignments and stay on top of the work that has to be done.
If you are wondering if you need a backpack for college check out this article: Do I Need a Backpack in College
I go into greater detail for backpack essentials and recommended backpacks that will be super helpful.
Final Thoughts on What To Expect on Your First Day of College
If your first day of college is coming up, you want to be as prepared as possible. In this post we went over 13 helpful tips for your first day of college and what to bring to class.
Do you have any tips for a students first day of college? Please let me know in the comments below.