Spring Semester is finally here! With it comes New Year's resolutions, new semester goals, and new school supplies! You're ready to face the rest of the school year with a new sense of purpose!



Or a renewed sense of dread.

If Fall Semester really had you down in the dumps, and you just couldn't wait for it to be over, well, Spring doesn't have to be more of the same! You can actually set yourself up for a semester of success on the very first day! Here's how:

Show up early.
This advice comes from my own First Day of Fall Semester experience where I showed up on time...and was denied parking! Show up early to the first day of all your classes in case parking fiascos or other unforeseen events happen. On the First Day of Fall Semester 2015 there were two accidents on the freeway leading up to the exit for school, with one of them being a student on the offramp! No one needs the stress of being late on the first day. Show up early and make sure you are put together. If nothing happens, you can use that time for the library, the bookstore, to look at clubs, to meet up with friends, or to grab a snack. Or, you can even chat up your professor (if they are also early) to get to know them better!


Sit in the front.

Give yourself a chance towards success by staking a claim to the front row.

Last semester, I sat in the back of a few classes. I found that I felt disconnected from the professors and thus, the material. Sitting in the front of the class has many advantages that outweigh the disadvantages:

• You get to know your professors better and they get to know you better. You know that saying, "Out of sight, out of mind?" You don't want you to be out of mind to the professor. 
• You hear everything! You can't miss information in the front. You can ask questions and be assured your professor can see you raise your hand. You can read everything on the board/presentation slides. You may be able to do all this from the back, but why take the chance that you may miss something?
• This is where all the success-minded people sit. If you are who you hang out with, then these are the people you want to sit by! That isn't to say that people who sit in the back aren't successful people. We do, after all, learn in different ways, and some people feel more comfortable sitting in the back, which is okay. But the people in front are more often than not eager to learn and are usually more reliable, knowledgeable, and go-getters. 
• Sometimes your professor will group you and the people next to you together for group projects. Keep this in mind when you decide where to sit! You want the go-getters on your team!

Use your syllabi to get ahead.
Once you get that stack of syllabi in your hands, go through them and utilize all the info. Here's what I do with them:

• Write down all the instructor's names, emails, and other contact info in my notebook/the section of my notebook dedicated to that class just in case I lose the syllabus. Include the section numbers and meeting times! You will reference this info so much, it pays to have it in places you can easily access.
• Create an Assignment List with all my assignments onto one sheet that I put at the front of my notebook or binder. Put them in order by due date, and include the class they are due in, and I like to include the type of assignment (essay, group project). That way in case I lose the syllabus I know what is due when. This way I can never not know when something is due and never be caught unaware!
• Read the syllabus! There may be info in there that is really pertinent to your grades, such as what format papers should be written in (MLA, APA, etc), or if there are other ancillary assignments due (like journal writings) that aren't on the assignment list. Don't miss out because you didn't take the time to read the syllabus! 

Get all required fees and supplies bought and taken care of, if you don't have that done already.
There is nothing more annoying than not having what you need on hand. If your syllabus states you need to go buy something, go out and buy it now! Calculators, art kits, special notebooks, ScanTrons...get that stuff now so you won't forget! Keep your reciept if you don't end up using it. If you can't return some items, try to sell them to another student.


Make an ally in each class.
Sometimes college isn't for making friends. While I try to make a friend in each class, it's really hard to keep track of people and to stay connected. Instead, try to make an ally, someone you can depend on and keep contact with during the semester in case you are absent or miss something. This person can end up being your go-to when it's time for group projects or to bounce ideas off of during papers. They can even make a great study buddy! What makes a good ally?

• They're on the ball: It's hard to rely on someone who doesn't have their act together. This may be revealed later, but you can usually tell who is "on it" right off the bat. They may sit in the front, may already have their textbook and supplies, they may take notes on the first day (and not just on what's on the Powerpoint), or may just give off that reliable, studious vibe.
• They speak up: A good ally is going to speak up, not just when called on.
• You! Your ally won't help you out if you don't reciprocate. The key to having good allies in class is to be a good ally. Be reliable, dependable, and a good resource if you expect others to be the same for you. While I try to be a good ally, if someone is going to just use me when they can't be moved to be responsible on their own, I am not going to do them any good. Allies are allies, not doormats!

You'll want an ally that's as serious about the subject as you intend to be.

Last, get to know your professor.
Introduce yourself to your professor and show them that you are 1) not intimidated by them and 2) are willing to work with them like you are deserving of their time and effort. Teachers can often be put on a pedestal, and students can feel disconnected from them. It's time to work past all that and show your professor that you are serious about their class, your learning, and being an academic success.

After introducing yourself either before or after class on the first day - and while being respectful of their time - get in the habit of being communicative with your professors. Read their emails and respond to them, even if all you write is, "Thanks, received! Signed, your name." Give feedback when asked. Engage in group discussions. If you are going to be absent, communicate this ahead of time so that there is a record. Ask questions.

Here's some hard truth: your professor/teacher is under no obligation to help you out beyond the scope of teaching. By showing your professor that you are a respectful and responsive individual and not a nameless number of many, your teacher is more willing to work with you. For example, when G.Ma died in Spring 2016, a professor allowed me to turn in an assignment I missed because of G.Ma's death for half credit even though her syllabus said she accepted no late papers. She did this because I had created rapport with her and she knew I was responsible and would not waste this chance. Even though half credit was an F for that assignment, without it I would not have gotten an A in that class.

By being a respectful and responsive student, your teacher sees that you appreciate their extra efforts.

Most importantly, though, one day you may have the chance to work with or under one of your professors. Even during a semester you may be given internship opportunities, or other perks (like one professor of mine asking to use my assignments as examples for other students!). Early established rapport can only help you in the early stages of your career. Don't waste this opportunity!


What other things are on your Spring Semester First Day To-Do List?