Image by John Loo, Flickr
The first day of school is uncomfortable for everybody. It will be even more uncomfortable if you don’t learn to embrace the discomfort. Use the first day of school to step out of your comfort zone because it will help make your transition into post-secondary life easier. Here are some tips on how to make the most out of your first day:
- Don’t get lost on campus. Before classes start, map out where your classes are and attempt to walk from classroom to classroom. If you need to, print out a map of campus so you don’t get lost in the crowd on the first day.
- Get lost on campus. Only do this if you’re done classes or have some time before your next class. You’ll have a lot of fun discovering all of the buildings, restaurants and facilities in your school. It will also help you familiarize yourself with the campus.
- Talk to strangers. Talk to the person beside you in class, on the bus and in line at the coffee shop. You’ll meet new people and you’ll also have someone to talk to in class or on the bus in the future. Soon, they won’t be strangers anymore, and instead, your best friends.
- Attend Frosh/back to school events. A great way to meet new people and have a lot of fun at the same time. Frosh events are specially tailored to help first years get to know each other. Don’t miss out because you only get to go to frosh once.
- Approach club booths. A lot of clubs start advertising and allowing members to join early in the school year. Start getting to know what kinds of clubs are in your school. Sign up for any that seem interesting to you.
- Introduce yourself to your professors. It can be a simple “Hello, my name is ___. I look forward to your class this term.” at the end of class. It will make a good impression and help spark a relationship that will be extremely important in the middle of the school year when you’re struggling on an assignment.
- Pack light. Some paper, a pen and some food is enough for your first day. You won’t have any books because your reading list hasn’t been given to you yet and professors usually spend the first day reading the course syllabus. You don’t want to break your back carrying a laptop and other paraphernalia you don’t need.
- Make mistakes. The first day of school may seem like a big deal, but it really isn’t. It’s just another day out of the many that you spend in school. You’re going to forget most of what you did on the first day anyways, so don’t worry if you accidentally walk into the wrong classroom! Good luck!