College Tips: 3 Things to Do Before Classes Start and 3 Things to Wait On

Quick Summary: College Prep Tips for a Smoother Semester

• Build a planner habit before college starts so you can stay organized from day one.

• Learn your computer and student portal early so tech issues do not slow down your classwork.

• Walk your class schedule before the first day so you know where to go and how long it takes.

• Wait to buy textbooks until you know whether you truly need them or can use an online copy.

• Settle into your classes before committing heavily to clubs or extra activities.

• Wait on heavy dorm furniture until you know how much space you actually have.

  
  

College Tips for New and Returning Students

When going to college, even if you’re a seasoned student, there are things that should be done before you get to campus, and some things that are better to wait on until classes start. I wanted to go over three items to do before classes begin and three things to wait on once the semester gets going. Of course, if any of you want to add to either list, please comment below to help current and future students. These tips are all from my personal experience when in college, so apply at your own discretion.

What to Do Before College Starts

To start, I wanted to cover the items that are worth doing before college. You may already have a handle on some of these, but if you’re a new student or transfer student, these are the basics I would get sorted out early.

Use a Daily Planner Before the Semester Gets Busy

Personally, the first thing I would do is get in the habit of using a daily planner. I do sell a planner that I use daily, and the link is here if you need one. I made it for students who want a simple way to stay organized daily. Without overcomplicating their schedule, but keeping goal-setting in mind. If you are the kind of student who wants a better system before the semester gets stressful and to outline your goals, this planner may be a helpful tool to start with. However, any planner is great. The main goal is to have one place where you can track your classes, assignments, study time, and daily priorities. It is all too easy to get distracted in college, and a planner can help keep you on task.

Build a Weekly College Schedule You Can Actually Follow

In addition to using a daily planner, you should have a full weekly schedule set up in something like Google Calendar or Microsoft Calendar. This helps you plan your week and gives you a template you can pull from when filling out your daily planner. It will also help you see where the breaks in your class schedule are and whether it is worth leaving campus during that time. Personally, I was lucky enough to walk to class each day; however, some people may need to commute. When I made my own schedules, I would also schedule commute time because that is time that usually will not be used for classwork.

Learn Your Computer and Student Portal Before Day One

The next item on the list is to get used to your computer and the online school portal. If you have a new computer for college, spend time learning how it works before assignments start coming in. You do not want the computer to be the thing that holds you back from getting your classwork done. The online portal for your university can also be difficult to navigate. Some are designed better than others, but I would honestly spend two or three hours learning where everything is. Looking back, if I had learned to navigate mine sooner, it would have saved me a good amount of headaches.

Dry Run Your College Classes Before the First Day

Once you’re on campus, try doing a dry run of your classes a day or so before you have them. That way, you know where the buildings are, how long it takes to walk there, and whether you need to adjust your schedule. Obviously, if you’re returning from a previous semester, you may already know the halls. If that is the case, this tip may not apply to you.

What to Wait on Once College Classes Start

Wait to Buy College Textbooks Until You Know You Need Them

Now, what should you wait to do once classes start? To start with, wait to see if you actually need the textbook the professor says you need. From my personal experience, there is about a 50-50 chance that you will truly need the textbook. You may also be able to find the textbook online instead of getting a physical copy. Online copies may be cheaper, and they are lighter to carry since you only need your computer.

Settle Into Your College Classes Before Joining Too Many Clubs

Additionally, I recommend settling into your classes before fully committing to a club. It is a net positive to get involved, but make sure your classes are sorted out first, since your main goal is to graduate with a degree. At the beginning of college, I was not that involved. However, as I got better with my studies and built more knowledge, I had more time to be part of a club. Especially during the first couple of weeks, if college is new to you, I recommend getting your classes in order first and then adding clubs to your workload. The last thing you want is to fall behind, because it can be hard to get ahead once you are behind. College life is better if you can get ahead and stay ahead.

Wait to Buy Heavy Dorm Furniture Until You Know Your Space

The last item on the list is waiting to get heavy furniture for your dorm room. However, you should coordinate appliances with your dorm roommate if you have one. Heavy furniture in a dorm may be a bit overkill. It may be better to get set up in your dorm room first and then buy a few pieces if you still need them. That way, you do not bring furniture you later have to get rid of because the space feels cramped. Sometimes less is more, and with dorm rooms, you can always get more stuff later if you need it.

Final College Advice: Save Time, Money, and Headaches

Overall, I hope you found some of these college tips valuable. If you have more tips, feel free to comment below. Saving time, money, and headaches in college is well worth it because college can be tough enough as it is. Finally, enjoy the start of your upcoming semester, learn a lot, and make some lasting memories.

Extra College Help: University Shortcuts, TikTok, and Calculus Book

Side note: I have a TikTok page called University Short Cuts where I go over a lot of different STEM problems, so feel free to follow my TikTok if you need help with STEM subjects. In addition, if you are taking Calculus One or feel like the algebra behind calculus is holding you back, I wrote a Calculus One book to help with that. The goal of the book is to slow the material down, explain the steps, and cover the algebra that many students are expected to already know. If you want extra help outside of class, or you want a resource you can keep next to you while studying, you can buy the book HERE on Amazon. If it helps you with your studies, I would also really appreciate a review because that helps other students find it too. Happy Studies!

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