Back to School: 10 Things to Do in Your First Week of College Classes

The first week sets the tone for the whole semester. Spend a few hours now and you'll save yourself a lot of stress in October.

The checklist

1. Connect Canvas to one list. Copy your Calendar Feed link and put it in a list app so every assignment shows up by itself.
2. Read every syllabus once. Note exam dates, big projects and the late policy.
3. Add anything that isn't in Canvas. Readings without due dates, outside homework sites, lab reports.
4. Find office hours for each class and save them somewhere.
5. Set up reminders so deadlines reach your phone. See how to get due date reminders.
6. Pick a weekly planning time, like Sunday evening. See the 15-minute weekly plan.
7. Pick your study spots, one quiet and one social.
8. Add life tasks: gym, laundry, work shifts, groceries.
9. Start a small daily streak. One school task a day, minimum.
10. Find one study buddy per class. Swap numbers on day one.

Do steps 1, 5 and 9 in five minutes

lum9a handles the setup: paste your Canvas link once, turn on phone alerts, and your daily streak starts with your first check-off. It's free forever.