Welcome back! A new semester, a new set of classes, and a
new set of goals and expectations. But do you have a plan for how to navigate the messy first few weeks of class? Many of the tips featured below are not new,
but I wanted to pass them along once again because I know it will save at least
a few of you some headaches. No doubt that the energy of the first week will
help many of us make it through the uneasy transition to sitting in the
classroom, but this checklist should also help organize those pesky new term
details. In addition to my featured checklist, be sure to check out some other new
semester survival tips I found both amusing and quite relevant at HackCollege,
including a list of Five School Supplies You Don’t Need, 11 College Tips From a Senior, and 4 Freshman Tips You Probably Have Not Heard About. Good luck and
remember to soak up the remains of summer while they last!
1. Check your classroom listings: this is imperative to do, especially if you attend a large university or have classes that take place on more than one campus (yes, I always have students at the beginning of each term who make this mistake). It never hurts either to take a dry run finding your listed classrooms ahead of time and even scoping out the most advantageous seats and plug-ins for laptops. It sure beats the frustration and rushing around on the first day of class to make sure you find the place you are supposed to be. Online campus maps are also terrific for pre-planning, so Google your university’s name and map to begin the process.
2. Read over syllabi carefully: A syllabus is like a
contract and establishes the mutual expectations for a class between student
and professor. One of the first things you want to check immediately is the
dates for any midterms and finals. These dates are written in stone, and if you
cannot make them because of other plans (and no, a trip to Hawaii or a friend's
wedding are not legitimate reasons to miss an exam), consider dropping the
class. Remember, deadlines are your responsibility. Also, make sure to
check your syllabus before emailing your professor with a question about the
course. I cannot tell you how many questions I get each term that are clearly
answered by the syllabus. Consider keeping a copy with you or downloaded on your laptop or phone whenever you attend
the class.
3. Get your books (eventually): Ask any senior
undergraduate or graduate student about purchasing books, and they will no
doubt tell you what nobody ever reveals to you in your first year-- wait to buy
your books. Yes, I said wait. And although some of you might find it really
tough to resist the urge to line up with hundreds of other students and spend
hours to buy books during the first week of class (something that always amuses
me), you will have the luxury of shopping in relative peace and quiet and
perhaps save some money if you do. First, it often helps to wait until after
you go to your first class and find out if you need all of the books listed at
the bookstore (many times, you don’t). Another option is to wait and check the
titles and prices of the books at the online university bookstore and see if
you can find them for better prices elsewhere. I have seen students make
ridiculous savings buying textbooks on Amazon, Chapters or Abebooks.
4. Check on-line course material: Almost all courses
these days have an online component through tools like WebCT or Moodle where
professors post links, images, class material and provide discussion boards
etc... Make sure to check either on your syllabus or through a quick preview of
your personal university homepage to see if your course also has an online
component. Most institutions have a personalized portal which links you
directly to any online connection to a class. Make sure to check the online
material frequently and take note of any additional information related to
assignments and/or exams that are often posted there.
5. Note important dates and deadlines: Along with
the syllabus, it is important to bookmark or make a copy of your university’s
dates and deadlines so that you are clear when add/drop dates, holidays,
tuition deadlines, registration deadlines, graduation deadlines, final exams,
etc.. etc.. occur. I usually just cut and paste these deadlines directly into
my day planner or check them periodically to make certain I do not show up to
teach a class during reading week J
6. Double check your registration: The saddest thing
is when a student finds an “F” on their transcript at the end of the term
because they erroneously remained registered for a class that they “meant” to
drop. Be warned, not all universities will listen to your tale of woe, so do
yourself a favour and double/triple/quadruple check your registration before
the final add/drop deadline to make sure you are not registered for classes
other than those you are actually planning to attend.
7. Purchase school supplies: I admit that this is my
favourite thing to do each term. And yes, I was that geek in grade school who
was happy in August when the school supplies showed up in the stores! Remember
too that you can charge a killing if you are that one student with a mini
stapler on the day assignments are due in class.
8. Look into taping your lectures: I encourage
students who find it difficult to keep up with note-taking or enjoy having
another listen to ideas raised in classroom lectures and discussions to
consider taping lectures. Some things to keep in mind—first, make sure to check
and see if it is OK with your professor before taping the first time (you need
their permission); and second, see if your professor is already having the
service done by another source. Some universities provide a lecture taping
service and playback for large lecture courses. You can also check
my blog
post on this topic for tips and different approaches to the task.
9. Make a transportation plan: You might be
surprised how easily and affordably you can create a carpool or learn
about better ways to get yourself to classes by talking to fellow students
and/or checking with your university’s website for resources (many schools help
arrange car pooling). Also check your transit provider's website for routing
plans-- many of them give alternative (and shorter!) suggestions getting from
Point A to B.
10. Pay your tuition: Don’t forget—it is crazy how
many students do.