College is Coming Fast - Tips for First Time Students

3 weeks until you leave for college?!?!! (some even less!)

Campuses will be in full swing with freshman move in and orientation in the very near future, and as students and their families prepare for every little detail before Day 1 hits, there are a few things I always try to talk with students about prior to the first day of classes as helpful hints, or "college hacks" that may be beneficial in getting them moving in the right direction.

1. Check your class times and locations the night before. You would be amazed at how many times room locations and teaching assignments change over the summer. From personal experience, I didn't pay attention after my summer orientation was done, pulled out my schedule that I had, and went to a classroom that was not the right one. Sat through the entire class because I was too embarrassed to get up, and spent the rest of the day in a frenzy trying to find my professor that I just made think I was a complete fool! If you don't know how to check the location, shoot an email to your advisor or the faculty member you met with during your summer orientation. Don't go in blind, believe me, it'll save you from a mental meltdown.

2. Learn to use a calendar and schedule your non-negotiables:

It is always interesting to me when I ask in my first class, "how many of you use a daily task management system, like an internet calendar?" In my three of years of teaching in higher ed, I can count on one hand how many first time freshman have this type of experience. Even though you'll have a lot of "free" time compared to your high school days, it will go extremely fast if not structured appropriately

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Two parts come with this:

Part A: I would highly enc