The titled blog “Things You Should Do On The First Day Of College” consists and highlights the listed points. Hope this works for you as ‘a pick me up throughout the day’ element, especially if, you’re stressing about the mentioned subject.
1. Carry A Pen & A Notebook/ Laptop
2. Reach Atleast 20 – 30 Minutes Early
3. Don’t Overstress, You’re Not Alone
4. Stay Prepared For A Proper Introduction
5. Keep Up With The Professor
6. Go Through The Entire Course Syllabus
7. Stay Prepared To Work
8. Make New Friends
9. Start Taking Notes Immediately
So, you have already said adieu to your school life. And, for obvious reasons goodbyes are never easy! But, life is simply and always be about moving forward. So, every goodbye brings with it a new beginning that awaits your approval for moving ahead. And for any high school graduate, entering into college can be one of the greatest reasons to forge ahead for better education, better job prospects, and for a better life.
You perhaps have made your resolutions of everything that you aspire to accomplish in your college life. Be it joining the college union or the theatre, volunteering, starting your own blog, learning and acing new skills or hobbies, or excelling in the subject you’ve opted for, and more as such. But, have you thought about the things to do on the first day of the college yet? There are no hard and fast rules imposed that commands you to be specific about certain things. However, here are a few things that might help anyone who is getting anxious or stressing about the same.
1. Carry A Pen & A Notebook/ Laptop
It’s your first day at college today. You are overwhelmed. But, before you actually step out of your house or your hostel room, consider carrying a pen and a notebook. If that’s too traditional for you, you can carry your laptop. The purpose is just to note down important things. The first week, however, is considered for gaining insight into the syllabus for your major subject and the general subjects. Carrying writing stationery or gadgets like a laptop can help you put down important briefings. And it even shows that you’re mentally prepared for a completely new academic session.
2. Reach Atleast 20 – 30 Minutes Early
Wondering, Why? As you’re brand new to college, you’re completely oblivious about the college premises or getting around. So start early from your home. At least 20-30 minutes before the allocated time. Thus, you can use those extra minutes wandering around, knowing and getting familiarized with the place. So, all these aimless wandering can occur before you make it to your specified classroom. Planning this can also help you find out the stationed classrooms for the preceding classes throughout the day. Reaching early has certain advantages. Such as – you can get the desired seat, meet new people, etc.
3. Don’t Overstress, You’re Not Alone
It’s okay to get nervous or even become overwhelmed at the very thought of entering the college as a fresher. But don’t succumb to pressure or get too self-conscious. Overstressing can make the matter worse. Perfection is just a term. So, just be who you are. Be polite. Appreciate your life and the moment you’re witnessing. Such as the new ambiance, new faces, new learning culture that entirely contradicts with your school life. Remember, you’re not alone to witness this first day. There are other hundreds who all are either struggling to keep up with the new scenario and others who are doing just fine, keeping their nervousness under control. So, just breathe and don’t forget to smile.
4. Stay Prepared For A Proper Introduction
Now, this might sound a little nerve-racking, your professor can call for an introductory session anytime. You’re a fresher batch and it’s quite unlikely for a professor to start lecturing you without introducing oneself first. So, it’s more likely that he will ask you all to introduce yourself consecutively. So, ensure to keep your nervousness under control. Think how well do you want to represent yourself verbally in front of your professor and your classmates. Stay prepared for it. Ensure to be audible.
The best thing you can do is introducing yourself to your professor before the class starts. It can create a lasting impression so that your professor recognizes you even when you’re amid a crowd of hundred faces.
5. Keep Up With The Professor
Remember, it’s not possible for the professors to stop during mid-discussion or mid-lecture simply to check if you’re following up with the lessons. This is not feasible especially when the number of students is larger. In school, you may be habituated with the slow explanations and revision classes, but the scenario entirely changes in college. Professors pre-determine the topics they need to cover within a specific period, and thus they stick to the same. So, ensure that your entire focus remains to the lessons alone so that there’s no need for repeated clarification for the same concepts or the subjects matter.
6. Go Through The Entire Course Syllabus
The syllabus is the lifeline for every course. Be it science or humanities, syllabus extends a much-needed help for the subject. So, before you succumb to confusion and pressure, go through the entire syllabus pattern for the major and elective subjects. Once you get an insight into the whole syllabus you will get clarity about the subject and everything that you are going to learn. If there are any sort of confusions, you can clarify your doubts with your concerned head of the department. Never overlook the significance of syllabus as you’d be missing valuable details about your subject that can make your learning easier and help you score better.
7. Stay Prepared To Work
You probably remember your first day school, right? The first day simply meant going over the syllabus and some amazing ice breaker activities and games. Things can rarely be the same at college. Professors simply would speed up everything to accomplish with their assigned schedule and the syllabus. So, never live with the delusion that college days are all about having fun. Rather be prepared with the academic mindset, like that of an ardent learner.
8. Make New Friends
A person that you befriended on the first day of the college can be your friend for life. So, never overlook the importance of a good classmate. For the introverts, socializing can be quite tough. But, don’t shut out any potential social connections in your classroom. A friend can extend prompt support when you are in need. A new friend in class can be your study partner. Whether it comes to understanding a topic you missed out or, when you miss a class you can always rely on them for missed lessons, notes, assignments. It’s not necessarily important to indulge in long and deep conversations with the person you meet on the first day. Yet ensure establishing a connection and keep in touch as the semesters begin.
9. Start Taking Notes Immediately
The first day of college means gathering full of valuable information. The provided information by the professors on the first day of can actually be the key to excelling in a particular subject or a class. For many professors provide a clear insight about their teaching procedure, how and when to contact them with the questions, and so on.
You can jot down the important bits of information so that you can remember them for the entire semester. Note why professors are trying to emphasize certain things on the first day! There has to be a reason for it, right? So, take time to understand them. Write down everything that you consider important. Paying attention to details can help you immensely in your academics, and even in your exams and obtaining grades.
