The First Semester: The Beginning
The First Week can set the tone for a strong semester
Excitement and fear are just a few of the emotions first-year college students feel as they enter their first week of classes. For many, this is what they have worked for to ensure they could get into their desired school. The best way to describe this experience is change, and they have to get used to this new world, navigating processes for the first time without consistent parent badgering. Every two weeks, I will list some tips students need to succeed in their first academic semester and adjust to their new lives. The most prominent theme will be striking a delicate balancing act between coursework and integrating into campus life.
Building a foundation in academic work will be the best way to start a semester as it will give both confidence and perspective on what college is. These tips might seem simple, but one would be shocked at how many students struggle to get started.
-Location/Planning: Whether you arrive on campus a week or a day before classes begin, knowing which building your classes are located in and understanding the campus layout is essential. Knowing where buildings are, how long it takes to get to one from another, and mentally going through what the schedule will look like daily. It’s also vital to plan meals and study time that can keep them engaged during the day and distractions at a minimum. Getting familiar with their surroundings will give students a well-rounded idea of what their day will look like, and they can get into a routine quickly.
-Books/Supplies: Taking notes is one of the college’s most important tasks; bringing a pencil or pen should be a no-brainer. Still, you would be surprised at how many students need more supplies for class, whether it’s a lack of resources or awareness they must have the supplies at this level. Yes, book prices are high, but professors have made efforts over the years to ease the pain of the cost of books. If money is an issue, Pell Grants and other financial aid are great resources to help with the payments. Students must get the required textbooks to learn the material to keep up with the content and get the best possible grades.
-Syllabus: Getting an idea of the expectations for classes can be done by reading the syllabus and outlining assignments and schedules for the course over the next 16 weeks. One of the best actions to start with is highlighting the due dates for assignments, tests, and exams so that students can know when their schedule will be most active and can properly plan to make sure they are the best prepared.
These three ideas will build a solid foundation over your first two weeks of college and help ease any tension and anxiety that can make a solid semester.
