First Day of Classes

So it's Monday here on campus and everyone with a Monday class is bustling about. I however don't have any classes until tomorrow so I thought I'd take some time and give you hints for the first day of class. Since I've never attended a university before all of this information comes from my sisters and friends who have all attended universities for more than two years.

Tip #1: Check your student e-mail for syllabi
            So unlike a lot of community college teachers, university teachers send you the syllabus in an email for you to print out on your own. So before you head out to class make sure you've printed any out that were sent to you. It'll help you out and could impress your teacher or help make a friend.

Tip #2: Get a tiny notebook
            I'm talking like tiny ass little notebook. Think the size of Steve's on Blue's Clues (am I the only one that thought she was a he?) Take this to class your first day. Most teachers will just go over the syllabus and send you home so take any notes or reminders in this little notebook. Also you can get classmates numbers or emails incase you forget to write something dow someone will hopefully know.

Tip #3: Scope out your classes the day before
             You don't want to be late the first day to class so the day or two before classes start take a friend or roommate and walk around campus and look for your classes. My sister always times her walk from her dorm so that she leaves on time the morning of.

Tip #4: Always carry an umbrella with you. ALWAYS (Harry Potter)
             This actually counts for any day, especially if you live in the smoky mountains. You never know when you'll be walking and the sky will fall out. It's the first day of classes here and guess what? It's raining!!! Lucky Hannah let our suite mates know to take an umbrella.

Tip #5: Pick your seat carefully.
             Knowing college it may change every day or you could sit in the same chair all semester, but seats are important and people will read you based on where you sit. Sit up front and you'll either be labeled a nerd or a suck up either way you'll probably have a lot of slackers bothering you to let them copy your homework. Sit in the middle and you'll seem interested but so much that people will bother you for answers all the time. Of course slackers do get desperate. Then there are the back seaters. These people usually slouch and aren't very interested in class but show up not to be dropped. These are usually the ones who ask for answers because they fall asleep in class. Now remember this isn't solid but can help as a guideline. Some people may just be near or far sighted. Or they may be like me and get distracted easily.

Tip #6: Eat breakfast and pack a snack.
            You don't want to be the one who's stomach interrupts the teacher mid syllabus reading. And you don't want your blood sugar to drop and either fall asleep or pass out. So take my advice and eat even if it's just a little something it'll help.

Tip #7: Meet some people in class and get their contact info.
            These people may end up saving your life one night when you forget what the homework is or when the next test is. And if you luck out maybe you can find some people to start a study group with. It's always good to have someone to check with.

Tip #8: Have fun
             Don't be a stiff. Teachers usually like interaction or at least to get a judge on how you'll be the rest of the semester. Be yourself and enjoy your first day. It gets a lot harder after this.


So I hope these tips have helped you out a little or at least calmed you down. Remember it's just college not the Hunger Games. So enjoy your experience and aim to make good grades.