Tips for the First Day of Classes

Whether you're coming back to Auburn’s campus for your last year or as a freshman with no idea how to navigate college life, the first day of classes can be quite nerve-racking.

First day of class jitters are normal and valid. I've compiled a list of things to know for the FDOC to calm those nerves.

Syllabus week isn’t always “sylly”

The first week of classes is often referred to as Syllabus week, or “sylly” week. This is because your professors will give you a syllabus during the first lecture that outlines everything you need to know about their class. You’ll start to feel a little overwhelmed when you get a syllabus from every teacher with multiple exams/due dates. At the beginning of each semester, I like to put the important dates into an Excel sheet so that I can cross off assignments as I complete them. This eliminates the stress of forgetting an assignment and allows me to mentally prepare for the weeks when multiple assignments are due.

Know where you're going

The first day of class is hectic, so knowing where your classes are will help big time. Auburn is a big campus, which means there are tons of buildings with tons of classrooms. On the few days before class, check out which rooms your lectures will be in. Grab a couple of friends, walk around, and enjoy campus before the chaos of the fall semester starts. If you still get lost on the first day, don’t worry! Sometimes, I still get lost on campus, and I've been here for two years!

Supply lists don’t exist in college

I personally love to be prepared, so in high school, I went and got every supply list item days before school started. In college, there are no supply lists. Occasionally, a teacher will tell you if you need a special calculator or a clicker to answer questions in class. Other than that, it is up to you to decide if you want to use a notebook or a binder, a pen or a pencil, write down notes or type them out on your computer. On the first day of class, I will bring a small notebook to make a list of supplies I'll want for the class and then go by them that weekend. That way I get what I really need and nothing more.

Overall, just keep in mind that no one has the perfect first day of class. The only thing you must make sure you do is go to class and…

Be well, Auburn!