With the fall semester around the corner, now is the time—if you haven’t already—to gear up for a successful and strong start to the year. We know you have a lot to do, so we’ve compiled a checklist of helpful tips to make sure your semester gets off to a fantastic start.

Administrative preparation

Administrative tasks are essential to ensure your first day of classes goes well. Here are a few things to make sure you do before the semester begins:

1. Complete registration and other important requirements before the deadline—Ensure that all paperwork and deadlines have been met for registration, financial aid, vaccinations, housing, health insurance (if required) and orientation.
2. Plan transportation—Figuring out how to get to and from campus is an important step in the college preparation process. Being punctual is key. If you are driving to campus, be sure to include time for traffic and if you’re taking public transportation, familiarize yourself with the bus, train and/or subway schedules.
3. Explore campus resources—Research campus resources ahead of time, such as academic advising, career services, counseling and libraries so you can easily access support when you need it.
4. College email account—Make sure you get your college email address set up and functioning properly when you arrive on campus.

Academic preparation

Now that you have checked off the administrative tasks on your list, it is time to prepare for the reason you are there, which is to attend classes and earn your degree. Here are some key tasks to complete to seamlessly begin your first week of college.

1. Review your course schedule—Familiarize yourself with the location and times of your classes.
2. Purchase, rent or borrow textbooks—Be sure to acquire the necessary textbooks in advance so that you won’t fall behind later on. If available, digital versions can save you money and space. Check out this list of resources for finding affordable textbooks without compromising quality.
3. Create a study plan and routine—Use your time effectively by designating specific study hours and locations for each subject.
4. Set up a calendar—Whether you use a digital or physical planner, tracking important dates, deadlines and timelines will help keep you on time and on track.
5. Financial planning—Set a realistic budget to manage your finances, including tuition, books, supplies, food, entertainment and other incidentals. It’s important to set aside a small emergency fund for unexpected expenses. Familiarize yourself with any financial aid package you may have, such as scholarships, grants or loans. And don’t forget about taking advantage of student discounts!
6. Gather essential tech gear and supplies—Don’t wait until the last minute to check if your laptop, tablet or other tech gadgets are working! Be sure to have all the necessary chargers, headphones and software, as well as notebooks, highlighters, binders and all other supplies you may need.
7. Organize your living space—Whether you’re living at home or on campus, it’s important to organize your space so that it is functional and decluttered of any unnecessary items. If you are living on-campus, purchase essentials such as bedding, toiletries, cleaning and kitchen supplies and small appliances early so you’ll be ready to set up your space.

Personal well-being

Succeeding at college is more than just earning good grades. Having a healthy and positive mindset means all the difference—especially during challenging times. Practice these self-care tips to prepare for the best college experience:

1. Connect with classmates and professors—Making connections early-on with peers, roommates and professors helps establish relationships that can be invaluable during this and future semesters. Joining clubs and attending social events are also a great way to meet new people!
2. Establish academic and personal goals—Setting GPA goals and developing new skills are great ways to stay motivated and focused.
3. Self-care—Mentally prepare for college by cultivating a positive outlook. Have strategies in place to manage stress. Incorporating healthy habits like exercise, eating healthy and getting sufficient sleep collectively play a big role. And remember that it’s okay to seek help if you need it.

We hope you have a great year at college!