THE FIRST day of school, whether it be for a high schooler or a college student, is one of the days people dread the most. It’s a crucial period in one’s academic life, as it may dictate how one’s semester and academic year will play out.
Even though the first day of school happens at the beginning of every semester and every academic year, students cannot help feeling anxious and tense during the day itself.
Looking for ways to avoid turning your first day of school into an overthinker’s tragedy? Here is a list of things you can expect on your first day of school and tips on how to shake off your first-day jitters:
Losing your way inside the campus
Losing your way within unfamiliar grounds is an inevitable misfortune one must anticipate on their first day. Navigating your way inside a new campus on your first day of school is no different from searching for the exit of Daedalus’ Labyrinth.
This is particularly true for students who transferred to a new school midway into their secondary or tertiary education, or, generally, to students who enrolled into a new institution.
Consider asking for directions from a person you know studying in the university. This will ease your worries come the first day of school.
For students who are complete strangers to the area, make sure to drop by the campus and learn where each building is located.
It is also best to memorize the acronyms that each building and area has, so you will not be the next victim of the ‘TBA (To be announced) Building’ prank that senior students love to pull on freshmen students.
Following these tips would save you some time from seeking your way out from the maze-like hallways and corridors inside your campus.
Self-introductions
The first day of school would not be complete without having to introduce yourself more than once a day.
Self-introductions are necessary activities to become acquainted with your new professors and classmates. This is a great way to manage people’s first impressions of you.
Introducing yourself typically includes having to state your name, age, and place of residence. Most teachers may ask you to tell the reason why you decided to pursue the program you chose and why you opted to study at the university you enrolled in.
Some may try to push you out of your comfort zone and ask you to share a hidden talent of yours in front of the class. It may even go as far as having to introduce yourself in a creative manner.
Activities such as this are an introvert’s worst nightmare. So, if you have an irrational fear of public speaking, it is critical to rehearse your speech the night before so you will not make a fool out of yourself in front of many people.
Most importantly, remember to keep calm and be the best version of yourself.
Setting of expectations and first impressions
Sometimes, after all the students have finished introducing themselves, the professor may ask about expectations for them and their class. This is useful in gauging whether the teacher and the students see each other eye to eye.
When asked such questions, it is ideal to find the balance between being honest and being realistic. While it is encouraged to have the professor cater to the needs of the students, it is also significant for the two parties to meet halfway.
It is also around this time when people’s first impressions of one another begin to form.
Thus, during this stage, it matters that you behave appropriately and act exactly how you would when there are people around.
Remember, first impressions last, and it would be difficult to change people’s opinions of you later on in the academic year.
Getting-to-know activities with your new classmates
Aside from the staple self-introductions, another way to get to know your new classmates is through the activities prepared by your professor. This may come in the form of collaborative games and exercises, forcing you to interact with people you barely know.
As much as it is right up an extrovert’s alley, people would naturally find it difficult to socialize, let alone collaborate, with strangers they met a few seconds ago.
In this type of situation, you should consider actually cooperating with your new classmates in accomplishing the task assigned by your teacher.
This will not only mark you as a reliable groupmate in future academic endeavors you will have in the course but will also become fond memories you will look back to and laugh about, once you become friends with your new classmates.
Culture shock
Every university has a culture that is unique to them. It may be hugging every person you meet in the hallway, or having a dictionary of terms that hold special meanings to the people in that school.
Whatever it is, such cultural elements may shock you, and you need to be prepared when that happens.
Best case scenario, you went out of your way to look up the environment of the campus you enrolled in. This will guide you on what to do and say, once you step foot inside the school grounds.
Worst case scenario, you did not. Remember to keep your reactions down to a minimum, especially if a terror professor comes stomping your way. Keep your cool, and try to blend in as much as possible. But, above all, do not forget to be respectful.
Having these expectations in mind will assist you in having the best first day of school possible. When all else fails, it’s perfectly fine to make mistakes, as long as you learn from them.
The first days of school are real sources of headaches, and while it is significant to do everything right on your first day, it’s equally important to enjoy.
With reports from Aaron Jon S. Bernardino
