Welcome to college. You’re all moved in, you’ve met new people, and you may have even walked the campus to map out your class locations.
Now what?
To give freshmen a preview of what’s to come, Marilyn Jones, director of the Lemonis Center for Student Success at Marquette University, has answered some basic questions about navigating the beginning of your first semester in college, including what to expect the first day of classes, what to wear and how to navigate your new meal plan.
How do I make friends at college?
I want students to know that it is OK to give yourself time and space to build relationships. We often talk about “finding our people” in college, but that usually happens through many small moments over several weeks or even months.
A good place to begin is in your classes. Sit near someone new, introduce yourself, ask how the class is going, or talk about an upcoming assignment or project. Because you already share the experience of being in the same course, it can feel more natural to start a conversation.
If the class has exams, papers or group projects, you might also suggest forming a study group. Building academic connections can support both friendship and success in the classroom.
Put yourself in spaces where connection can happen. At the beginning of the semester, there are many campus events designed to help students meet one another, learn about resources and feel more connected to campus life. You do not have to attend every event, but choosing a few that interest you can make college feel more familiar. Come with an open mind and the willingness to learn a little about someone you have not met before.
“It is also important to remember that you are not the only one who may feel nervous about meeting people,” Jones said. “Many students are hoping to make friends, find community and feel a sense of belonging. Friendship often grows from repeated, low-pressure moments of connection. Be patient with yourself, keep showing up and remember that belonging is something you build over time.”
What should I expect on the first day of college classes? What is syllabus day?
During the first day of class, you will likely hear the professors introduce themselves, explain the course and create opportunities for students to meet one another. This is “syllabus day.” Many professors will review important parts of the syllabus, including learning outcomes, grading, assignments, attendance expectations, important dates and class policies.
Some tips for the first day of classes:
- Build in extra time. Give yourself more time than you think you need to park your car, get to class, get lunch and move between spaces.
- Before the first day, check your online student portal for room locations and read your university email in case your professors have sent updates. Printing your schedule, writing key details in a planner or taking a screenshot for easy access can also help you feel more prepared.
- If you are unsure where to go, ask for help. People on campus want to support you, and getting oriented is part of the transition. Marquette has an “Ask Me Desk” in our student success center, which is a great resource if you do not know who to ask.
- Once you arrive at your class, it is also a good idea to confirm with the professor or classmates that you are in the right classroom.
“From a student success perspective, one of the best things you can do is give yourself permission to learn as you go,” Jones says. “Stay flexible when something does not go exactly as planned, and remember that there are many people on campus ready to help you navigate the first few days.”
What should I wear to college classes?
My first words of advice are simple: come as you are and be yourself.
- What matters most is choosing clothing that helps you feel comfortable, confident and ready to participate in your day. Wear something you enjoy, something that feels like you, or something that helps you feel at ease as you meet new people and move through campus.
- Students often tell us that comfort makes a difference. Prioritize clothing and shoes that allow you to focus on your classes rather than on feeling too hot, too cold or uncomfortable.
- Comfortable shoes are also important because you may walk across campus more than you expect. I learned that lesson during my first week at Marquette, when I ended up with a lot of blisters!
“At the Lemonis Center for Student Success, we often see students start conversations because of a t-shirt, a team logo, a campus event shirt or another item that connects them to a community, interest, sport or student organization,” Jones said. “These small connections can be a meaningful way to meet someone new on the first day of classes. And if you do not have gear for your university yet, no worries. There will be plenty of opportunities to pick up a free shirt at campus events.”
How do college meal plans work?
Knowing how your meal plan works can help you plan your day, manage your time and make sure you are eating in ways that support your energy, focus and overall well-being.
- If you are living in a residence hall, you will likely have a full dining plan and can choose to eat at one of your main dining halls. Yes, you can eat at any of them during their dining hours. You will need to swipe your student ID to enter the dining hall and use your meal plan. There are other great options included with your meal plan, such as the food court options in the student union or local restaurants.
- Students often wish they were told about “Dining Dollars” sooner. The full dining plan often includes a limited amount of Dining Dollars that can be used at select campus dining locations, such as the campus cafés. Plan to use them before the end of the semester because they do not roll over to the next term.
- Check your specific campus dining site, but many schools—like Marquette—offer off-campus and commuting students the option of purchasing a meal plan. For instance, Marquette offers commuters specialized “Commuter/Loyalty 50” plan, which provides 50 meal swipes per semester.
How do I get involved in campus clubs and organizations?
One of the best ways to learn about campus clubs and organizations is through your school’s student organization fair. At Marquette, we host “O-Fest” during the third week of the fall semester. Some schools also have a winter version of their O-Fest.
During these events, you can learn about many student clubs and organizations on campus and speak with student representatives from those organizations. This is a good time to sign up for more information about upcoming events and meetings for clubs and organizations that interest you.
Most schools will also have online organization resources like our Presence page where you can learn more about student organizations and filter their search by categories, interests and meeting times.
About our expert:
Marilyn Jones is the inaugural director of the Lemonis Center for Student Success at Marquette University. The Lemonis Center serves as a central hub for academic services and a campuswide network of support. Jones has over 20 years of higher education experience in student-facing roles supporting first-generation and diverse student groups, and as a former department chair and professor of Spanish.
