Top 7 Tips for Your First Day of College Classes

In just over a week, some of you will be beginning your first day of college classes. We want you to feel 100% prepared for the big day, so we asked our experts on campus (returning students and faculty) to help us come up with following Top 7 Tips for Your First Day of Classes. Let us know if you have any advice to add to the list!

1. Get to class early.

This was also true in high school, but it carries a bit more weight in college. You have most likely been given a tour of campus, but getting from building to building may take some getting used to.  This also gives you some time to scope out the room, land a good seat and get your materials together so you are fully prepared and not distracted when the class starts.

2. Common Reading

Don’t be the one who gets blindsided when the professor jumps into a discussion about the assigned reading you didn’t know was assigned.  All of our new day students were assigned Start Something that Matters by Blake Mycoskie.

3. Get to know your professor.

Because of our small class sizes, Bay State College is not the type of place you’re going to get lost in the crowd.  Our advice is to develop a relationship with your professors right away.  They will be your biggest advocates if you work hard.  Your success matters to them.

4. Be prepared to actually work.

In high school, the first day of classes usually meant playing a few ice-breaker games and going over the class syllabus. While those two things may still occur on the first day of college classes, they will get through that rather quickly in order to begin the aforementioned work, so be sure to have your academic mindset ready.

Show up with all the materials you need in order to be productive.

5. Be friendly with your new classmates.

Your social connections in the classroom are important as well.  Your fellow students can be a valuable support system and make even the most difficult classes a bit easier.

6. Take notes (Yes, even on the first day!).

The first day of class is actually one of the most important. Remember, they are choosing to emphasize this information on the first day for a reason, so take the time to understand who they are as people and how you should approach the class. It will make a significant impact on your experience, and likely, your final grade.

7. Enjoy!

You've worked hard for your opportunity to be here.  Keep up the good work and best of luck on your first semester!