8 Things To Do During Your First Week Of College

Your first week of college is bound to be filled with lots of things — books, booze, boys... the list goes on and on. However, despite the thrill of being on your own for the first time, you might still be feeling a little displaced on campus. Here are eight things to do during your first week of college to help you feel more comfortable in your new surroundings.

College is all about finding that perfect balance between having an active social life, and a strong academic record — and there are actually quite a few things you can do to prep for both of these goals. Your freshman year, in particular, is one where you can really put yourself out there, and subsequently, the first week of your freshman year is the most important for doing just that.

From attending your first college frat party to figuring out where your classrooms are, this to-do list for your first week of college is essential for anybody stepping foot onto campus for the first time. You'll inevitably figure things out along the way, but it doesn't hurt to start strong, and pick up a few tips that might save you time down the road. On that note, enjoy being a freshman — it only happens once.

1. Attend every ice-breaker event on campus

College ice-breakers: you've got to love them (only after your'e done hating them, of course). They're dorky, they're cheesy, they're painfully awkward... and they're also where you'll meet the most people in the shortest amount of time. Get to know as many people as you can during your first week of school, because after that window of social opportunity, it won't be as easy. Even if the girl you meet at that Wednesday morning pancake breakfast isn't going to be your bestie for life, it's still nice to recognize some friendly faces around campus during your first semester.

2. Go to a frat party

Frat parties may totally be your scene, or they might be just the opposite. Either way, make the frat house rounds during your first week of college to see what it's like. You don't have to be in a sorority to get into a frat party, and later in the semester if you're having a dull night and looking for a little fun, frat row could be a good bet.

3. Try out every dining hall

I didn't find out about my favorite salad bar on campus until halfway through my college career. Don't let the same mistake befall you. Grab your roommates, and spend the week trying out all of the different dining halls on campus. You want to know your options, guys.

4. Find your classrooms

Don't be the kid who's late to every class during the first academic week of the term. Find your classrooms ahead of time so that you know where you're going, and won't get tripped up when you have to sprint from stats to art history that first week of classes.

5. Get to know everyone on your floor

You don't have to like everybody on your floor, and you don't even have to hang out with everybody on your floor, but you should get to know them regardless. These are the people you're living with, and chances are, the friendlier you are to them, the less likely they are to be a pain in your butt. And who knows? Maybe you'll find a BFFL down the hall that you'll have everything in common with.

6. Make friends with your R.A.

Somewhat similar to making friends with everybody on your floor, you also want to make sure you get to know your R.A. R.A.s can be cool, or they may not be cool, but if you befriend them, they might allow some things to slide under the radar a couple times before busting you and your roomies. (Not that you and your roomies would ever be up to any trouble anyway...)

7. Go to all your classes

I shouldn't have to spell this one out, but I will, because the moment you don't have to answer a roll call in class, it becomes infinitely harder to drag your tail over to one. You (or your parents) are spending thousands of dollars for you to get an education — so make sure you get it. Also, college is not high school. Missing a week of classes might put you so far behind that you can't actually catch up. Nobody wants that.

8. Pick a few club meetings to check out

Force yourself to get involved during your first week of college. Every school club will be having introductory meetings, and choosing a couple to check out is not a bad idea. If you're not into it, you don't have to commit yourself to anything — but you may just find an awesome new group of peers to interact with on the regular.

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