Your First Day at College

Written by Lauren Smyth

The Night Before

For me, each new school day starts the night before. The evening is a perfect time to shower and pack your bag so you’re looking (and smelling) your best from the moment you wake up. It’s also a good idea to pack your bag so you have the opportunity to double-check everything in the morning. Check Canvas, the college’s academic course management system, to make sure you’ve done any pre-reading and assignments, and keep an eye on your email in case the professor sends specific directions about what to bring, read, or do before you head to class.

Backpack Checklist:

    • Pencil case (with pencils, pens, erasers, highlighters, paper clips, or anything else you think you’ll need)
    • Water bottle
  • Don’t bring too many books. Professors don’t generally expect you to have everything on hand the very first day, and books are heavy.
  • A notebook

This is also a good time to consider how you’ll dress for the first day. Remember, this is your first impression, so make it count! Choose an outfit that can handle heat, and don’t condemn yourself to eight hours of uncomfortable shoes. Pro tip: If you can find a pair of solid black or solid white sneakers that are easily dressed up, those are a great choice for staying comfortable and looking great.

Check the weather. Don’t forget to pack an umbrella or any weather-specific gear you may need. If it’s going to be a scorcher, bring a jacket you can wear inside class buildings in case the air conditioner decides it’s time for a workout.

Make sure you know where all your classes are. Ten minutes, a typical between-class break, can seem like a lot of time to travel between buildings on Hillsdale’s cozy campus. But that time shrinks rapidly if you don’t know exactly where you’re going. Upperclassmen are always happy to give directions, so if you get stuck, don’t hesitate to stop someone. It’s also a good idea to walk around campus and find your classrooms in advance.

Get a good night’s sleep. Go to bed on time, and make sure you’re as relaxed as possible when you do. A simple stretch routine, a few minutes spent reading, or any other nighttime habit you’ve developed to help you rest would make the perfect conclusion to your evening.

The Morning

You may already have an established morning routine from high school. Try not to change much about your usual routine just because you’re completing it in a new location. College students still need to make coffee, wash their faces, and do a hundred other things before they’re ready to take on the day. Leave yourself plenty of time. It’s arguably better to be a little sleepy but not in a rush than to sprint through your morning on an extra half hour of sleep. Over time, you’ll find a schedule that works for you. It’s OK if you don’t get it down perfectly on Day 1.

As mentioned above, double-check that you have everything you’ll need for class. This means re-checking Canvas and your email. Consider bringing a tablet or computer so you can easily pull up any documents you may not have had the chance to print, but realize that some professors prefer that their students avoid using devices in class. Also double-check your schedule. It’s wise to wear a watch so you don’t have to whip out your phone whenever you want to check the time, especially if you’re wearing a dress or skirt without pockets.

Finally, don’t take any disasters too seriously. There’s no need to stress if something goes wrong. An email to a professor explaining you couldn’t find a classroom, a quick lunchtime wardrobe change, or one forgotten item won’t be the end of the world. Take a moment to pause, breathe, and let go of any nerves that are keeping you from fully enjoying your first day. 

The Afternoon

You did it—you made it through your first day of college! Chances are, you’re feeling pretty exhausted, even if all you’ve done so far was sit through class and lunch. Your backpack is probably stuffed with syllabi and assignments, your to-do list is probably already forming, and you’re thinking fondly about how comfy your bed was last night.

Start by writing down everything you need to get done. No matter how good at scheduling you were in high school, you’ll likely need to make some changes in college. To make sure you don’t forget anything while you’re figuring out your system, set aside a place in your notebook where you consolidate upcoming tasks. Give yourself plenty of time to complete this list, because it may be difficult to judge at first how long it takes.

Once you’ve gotten these things off your mind, it’s time to socialize. The afternoon is when most students attend club meetings, play sports, hang out in the Union until they see someone they recognize, or join a study table in the library. During these first few days, when the workload isn’t so intense, make it a priority to experience clubs and organizations that interest you but are less familiar or less likely to become full-time commitments. You never know what you’ll come to love.

If you consider yourself an introvert, as I do, you may need a few minutes of quiet and processing before you set out on a friend-making expedition. Don’t deny yourself this time. Walk back to your dorm, put your backpack down, and contemplate the ceiling before heading out again. It’s perfectly OK to take things slowly. There’s no need to meet everyone on campus by the end of Day 1.

When you head for dinner, find some new faces to sit with. Crash a table (at Hillsdale, this is always appreciated) or chat with the person standing in front of you in line. The cafeteria is a great place to meet people from different classes or groups, and they may have interesting information, experiences, and advice to share.

With these tips, you’ll be ready to take on your first-ever day of college. While you’re at it, here are a few tough truths you might encounter during your first semester, plus some advice on how to handle challenges as they come.

Lauren Smyth, ’25, is an economics major and journalism minor. Outside of starting arguments in philosophy class, she enjoys curling up on a bench outdoors (sun, rain, or snow) to write novels or articles for her blog, www.laurensmythbooks.com.

 

 

Published in August 2023