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4 tips for navigating your first week of classes

Spring semester brings new classroom environments, coursework and academic expectations. Here are some tips to help you navigate your first week of the new semester. 

Sit toward the front of your classroom

Whether it’s a small class or large lecture hall, try to sit toward the front. This will help you stay engaged, retain information and eliminate distractions.

Read the syllabus

You will get a syllabus in every class. This document will have expectations, required readings, project deadlines, exam dates, policies and more.

Read the syllabus for each of your classes, and take note of important dates and deadlines. Make note of your final exams, if you have three or more finals on the same date make sure to work with your faculty to get this adjusted by March 20. If you have any questions after reading the syllabus, ask you instructor for clarification as soon as possible.

Meet your professor

Faculty members often make time during the week to be available for students outside of the classroom. This is known as "office hours." Office hours allow you to meet one-on-one to ask questions or express concerns.  

It’s beneficial to go to your instructors’ office hours early in the semester to introduce yourself. This can make it easier to ask for help or guidance later on. Regularly attending office hours and establishing a rapport with faculty can offer additional opportunities, like research projects or internships. Consider asking your professor what interests them about their class or their research topics.

Develop study habits

Studying regularly helps you balance academics with social activities and other responsibilities. It can also help you avoid procrastinating until the last minute. 

A calendar or planner can be a useful tool. You can use it to:

  • Schedule consistent blocks of time to study or review class material each week.
  • Map out important dates like exams, labs, project or paper deadlines, presentations and more.
  • Break down large papers and projects into smaller tasks to work on throughout the semester.

Additionally, take some time this week to determine how you best study. Do you prefer to study alone, or would it be helpful to form a study group with others? Do you need complete silence or focus better with background noise? Are you more mentally sharp at a certain point in the day (early mornings or evenings)? Try out these study spots around campus to find the right study environment for you.