You’re likely to have a case of the jitters on the first day of classes at university. Curb your anxiety by making sure you feel ready: use this guide to prepare everything you’ll need for your classes in advance.
1. A Map of Campus
It’s a good idea to figure out where your classes will be before your first day. To give yourself extra confidence in case you do get lost, though, it’s also worth having a map on hand. Most universities provide students with a digital map they can check on their phones.
2. Your Laptop
You should bring a laptop to class even if you intend to take notes by hand. It will be easier to search for information on your laptop than on your phone, and you may be able to use breaks to do some homework.
3. School Supplies
Fill your backpack with all the school supplies you may need for classes. This includes notebooks (perhaps one for each class), a folder for handouts, pens or pencils, highlighters, and a flash drive.
4. Materials You Need for Classes
Check the syllabus for each of your classes or the emails you’ve received from your professors to make sure you have any additional materials you need. As well as textbooks, this may include a specialized calculator or software downloaded to your laptop.
5. A Reusable Water Bottle
Keeping a water bottle on you at all times is a great way to ensure you stay hydrated and will avoid you needing to purchase drinks on campus (which may be expensive and sugary). There will likely be places to fill up your water bottle all around campus.
6. Some Snacks
You’re also going to be hungry during the day. Bring some snacks for between meals to ensure hunger doesn’t interfere with your focus in class. Packing snacks will also mean you don’t need to search for food between classes, which may be challenging when you’re still becoming familiar with where everything is on campus.
7. The Right Clothes for the Weather
Check the weather forecast for the day to ensure you’re wearing comfortable clothes. If you’re prone to feeling chilled, bring a light hoodie in case some of your classrooms are especially cold. It’s also worth packing a poncho or umbrella in case of rain — keep one in your backpack for whenever you need it.
8. A Positive Attitude
Although it’s not something you can pack, you should definitely try to bring a positive attitude on your first day. Believe in yourself — although some of your classes may be challenging, you will be able to succeed if you put your mind to it.
At university, you typically need to dedicate around two hours to studying in your own time for every hour you spend in class. This means preparing for time outside of classes is also important. One thing you need to do is find a quiet place to study. This is easy when you live in the Kingston student housing rentals at Foundry Princess. You’ll have a comfortable spot to study in your fully-furnished private bedroom as well as access to multiple group and individual study areas. Check out all our other great amenities by taking a virtual tour.
