Joining university is an exciting experience for students, and most of them look forward to starting their first semester and meeting their professors and peers.
On most campuses, it takes several days before classes start. So the first few days on campus allow students to think about their milestones and future in the university. Apart from registration and moving into your dorm room, you can do a lot during this time, for example, finding a trustworthy paper writing service that can write my essay for me to help you with assignments when classes start.
Here are some other things you could spend your time on before classes begin.
Chapter Overview
1. Attend Campus Events
Most campuses schedule welcome events several days before classes start. Attend as many as you can. Such events can vary and could be orientations, picnics, and various forms of entertainment.
Orientations allow you to learn about your new environment and understand the layout of your campus. Entertainment events like concerts will help you familiarize yourself with your campus culture, and picnics will help you meet new people and make friends.
The events are enjoyable and are also learning opportunities. You get to know what other students do during their free time, the university’s history, the library’s and other important facilities’ locations.
2. Plan Ahead
As your classes approach, start planning your next steps to avoid being overwhelmed when they begin.
Find your syllabus and schedule and plan accordingly. Get the learning materials required for your classes ahead of your lectures. If you haven’t yet settled on a writing service to help you out with your studies during the semester, check the EssayService review by NoCramming to get an idea of what a trustworthy service looks like.
3. Settle in Your Dorm
It is normal to feel homesick once you move away. However, the earlier you beat it, the better for you.
Settling in your dorm and making it feel like home is one of the ways to deal with homesickness. So before you get busy with academic commitments, use the time to make some adjustments in your room to make it more welcoming.
You could add things in your dorm that will make the space feel safe and comfortable. For instance, you could add a family picture, a potted plant, fairy lights, and anything that will make it feel lively. Settling in can take a few weeks, but the effort can make things better in the meantime.
4. Create a Routine and Schedule
Following a schedule is invaluable to academic success. It makes you proactive and productive while at the same time enhancing your focus.
Since it takes some time for a new habit to form, the earlier you develop your schedule and everyday routine, the better.
The best time to create a schedule and start working on it is during the first few days on campus. Create a calendar and intend to stay organized once the classes start.
At this point, your schedule will mostly include campus welcome events and orientation. Once classes begin, it will become busier, and you can adjust the calendar. The best part is that your mind and body will have gotten used to a routine by the time classes begin.
Start with setting a healthy sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. This will ensure you get enough rest and wake up on time for the day’s commitments. Other routines you can include in your schedule are calling home, exercising, and even cooking. When classes start, you can add assignments.
Developing a schedule is achievable provided you create an excellent to-do list, spare time for rest, and stick to the plan.
5. Join a Club or Society
Joining a campus club or organization is highly recommended for students to enrich their experience at the university. Clubs have different goals and vary in type. For example, there are academic, political, and sports clubs, among many others.
Joining clubs comes with many benefits. It is an opportunity to explore your interests and learn more about yourself. Clubs allow you to develop soft skills which you could use to interact with other students and network.
Club membership will also hone your communication skills, which is good for your resume.
This is the best time to assess the clubs available on your campus and choose one or two that interest you. You will have enough time to attend the club meetings to meet the members and learn more about their activities.
6. Finalize the Paperwork
While most universities require most of the paperwork before you join campus, there are probably things you need to get done before classes start. So deal with any pending paperwork during this time and get done with them.
For instance, you may need to register for a campus identification card or collect it. In addition, some universities require international students to register with the local authorities. Therefore, if you are an international student, you might want to confirm the deadline for registration and complete the process.
Conclusion
Joining campus can be an exciting and nervous experience. You won’t usually have classes during the first week. So, make the most of this time! Settle in your new environment, make friends, and prepare for upcoming classes.