The first class of college is always the most daunting, but it doesn’t need to be a lengthy, helpless study in stress.
You’ve picked your college because you like it and because it’s a good fit for you, but then you think: “Ugh, I have to get through the first class?”
Why it is so stressful? You have to enter an unknown realm: being part of the student body of a college.
“How on earth do they expect me to survive this?” You might ask.
If you’re like most students, your classes will make up almost half (or even more) of your schedule during the semester, and with all their challenges and newness and uncertainty, it can seem like there’s no way out.
Get Ready for Your First Class
Firstly, there’s no need to panic about your first class. Whether it’s the first one of the semester or the first one for you, if you have just transferred using a website like Campusreel.org, the first class is just another class, and it will be a good one.
You’ll pick up the tricks of your professors and the best way to study for this class will come to you over time.
Secondly, there’s no need to feel that you’re an outcast for taking long breaks during lectures or for asking for assistance from your fellow students.
Every student has their own learning style and temperament, and much like your college, everyone has their own routine. You’ve picked a college because you want to be on the same page as your classmates about what it’s like when studying for law school (or whatever).
Here are a few ways you can help yourself feel more at ease.
Research your professor
Knowing who you’re going to come face to face with will help to make it feel a little more familiar.
The first thing to do is to look for your professor’s office hours and make sure you know where it is. Then, go onto their website and see what their bio is all about.
Read the Required Reading Material
There’s nothing like being over-prepared for a class!
Before the first day of class, you will want to read through the material that was assigned. This is especially useful if it’s not something you’ve read before or a subject that you aren’t familiar with.
Organize Your Notes Before Class Starts
The last thing you want is to be scrambling around looking for something to write on in class.
You should have a notepad and pen or pencil ready ahead of time will you to go into the first class.
Well-organized students will have a leg up when it comes time to study for final exams.
Meet Your Classmates
You won’t know how to get through the first class if you go in alone and don’t interact with other students.
This is particularly important if you’re taking a big lecture hall course. You want to be able to form a group of friends so that you can all study together and help each other out.
