First days at any event is always about making great first impressions, and this is no different at college. Venturing into unfamiliar territory may cause one to get unusually clumsy and apprehensive but fear not †here is a help list to adhere to and once you've checked off every point, you will be good to go. Make Full Use of the Internet: Visit the University's Website Take note of who the Dean is, who is on the faculty, and where the important locations are. Locations that might be useful to you are the library, cafeterias, medical centres, bookshops and ATMs. It is also good to have a brief understanding of the uni's history, ranking and what it specializes in. If the website looks like it has too much ground to cover, Wikipedia is another option, with the vital bits summed up nicely. Wear Suitable Clothing Dressing up once in a while because you enjoy doing so is one thing, but carrying a bag that can't even fit a pencil case is another. Remember that this is the most crucial part of your education, not a fashion show. Most uni campuses are pretty huge, so you might want to leave those killer heels at home, too. Of course, it is all up to the individual, but dressing comfortably makes it much easier to get from place to place quickly. Don't forget that you'll be lugging around textbooks and maybe a laptop as well. The last thing anyone would want is a wardrobe malfunction while rushing to Biology. Always Have Stationery and a Notebook Ready University lecturers may or may not provide notes. Some of them do not even have PowerPoint presentations during lectures. To play safe, always have pen and paper on hand, and make sure they're in an easily accessible part of your bag so that they are ready to whip out when needed. Important things to take note of are who the unit coordinators and tutors are, details of unit outlines, phone numbers, email addresses, class times and exam dates. This saves you from panicking should you run into an emergency and need to contact the relevant people immediately. Get the Campus Map You would want to be getting to all stipulated classes on time instead of worrying about looking foolish with a huge, A3-sized map. First impressions do count, and tutors do notice when students come in late. In fact, try to arrive at least 5 to 10 minutes earlier just to settle in and get yourself mentally prepared. It is also a good idea to personally speak to the tutor before or after class to get to know his or her working style and preferences, and also to make your presence known. Participation marks can go up to a whooping 30% for a unit, so make full use of contact time, and always show up for class prepared! A Strong Umbrella, Sunglasses, and Comfortable Shoes This goes along with the first point about appropriate dressing. Normally, the timetable is arranged in a way that is most time efficient †in other words †packed. With classes back to back, you do not want to be held up in a sudden downpour. Therefore, always have a compact umbrella with you, even if the weatherman said otherwise the night before. Sunglasses (or a cap) and comfortable shoes are handy because you're probably going to spend lots of time traveling or perhaps just sitting around campus everyday. Protect your eyes and your feet; you still have several semesters to go. Speak Up and Make Friends It can be a little daunting initially, but making reliable friends in class makes your life so much easier. Group projects, study partners, tutorial classmates, or even just someone to hang out with for coffee break †all these are essential in making campus life even more stimulating. Remember that it's the real world right after this, so be sure to make the best out of your uni life. Suitable Housing Finding accommodation that suits you can be a chore. If you're currently looking for housing and have yet to decide on anything, the article Going Away to College: To Join Uni Dorms or Rent Apartment? might help.
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