First Day of Classes: Not-To-Do Guidelines (Five Tips)

Do not arrive late

Rationale: Arriving late is a major sign of disrespect toward your professor and signals to others that you don’t care.
Why it matters: It sets a negative tone for the class and your campus reputation.
How to prepare: Plan ahead; walk your class schedule prior to the first day; this is a great activity to do during the first weekend on campus.
Ideal arrival time: Five to ten minutes before class begins to allow you to settle in and be ready to go. In LaTeX: 5\text{ to }10\text{ minutes} before class starts.
Edge case: If you know you have very little time between classes and must walk across campus, consider contacting your professor ahead of time so they’re expecting a late arrival and it doesn’t become an issue.

First impressions matter: In college, first impressions are everything.
Social impact: The way you interact with people the first time shapes the opinion they’ll have of you forever.
Long-term value: It’s not difficult to be kind; many of the students you meet in your first semester will be people you know for years on campus.
Practical guidance: Be kind to every student you meet; these peers will help you navigate college and can support you through a semester, or through four years in some cases.
Takeaway: The network you build early on contributes to your academic success and overall college experience.

Core idea: There is a fine line between confidence and ego.
In-class behavior: Bring what you need to class; feel confident engaging in conversation; demonstrate you’re a worthy recipient of a college education, but don’t walk in acting like you’ve already done this all before.
Freshman reality: You are new; everyone knows it, so there’s no need to pretend you’re more experienced than others.
Ethical/personal impact: Acting superior is off-putting and “icky”; humility fosters a healthier learning environment and better peer relations.

What this looks like: Some professors send emails before the first day with reminders and items you may need to prepare.
Consequences of ignoring: Ignoring these messages is among the worst things you can do; it makes you look unprepared and disrespectful.
Rationale: Professors design the course and determine your grade; their guidance on prep is effectively a cheat code for success on day one.
Practical actions: Read those emails carefully; note required materials and steps; follow the professor’s instructions to reduce confusion and show preparedness.

Habit formation: Bad habits start on day one; what you do on the first day easily carries forward.
Reasoning: You’re paying a lot of money for your college education; respect your professor, your classmates, and yourself.
Actionable tip: Keep your phone away and minimize distractions as much as possible during lectures.
Broader impact: Reducing distractions supports better learning outcomes for you and your peers.

Summary: These five tips cover punctuality, respect and kindness toward peers, humility in the classroom, attention to pre-class guidance, and focus during lectures.
Real-world relevance: Your behavior on day one shapes your reputation, academic progress, and overall college experience.
Invitation for engagement: If you think there’s something the creator forgot, share it; follow for more college advice; appreciation and goodbye.