Before You Arrive

_____  Explore the Path to Princeton site fully to get a sense of living and learning at Princeton

_____  Read the Daily Prince and other sources to find out what Princeton academics are really like

_____  Comb through Course Offerings and consider a balanced combination of classes, including seminars and lectures, and a range of topics and disciplines

_____  Consider applying for a Freshman Seminar on a topic that interests you, but which you might not otherwise explore

_____  Get a calendar you will really use; an electronic one like iCal or whatever works

_____  Look at the Academic Calendar to get a sense of the (rapid!) flow of the semester

_____  Don’t stress; if you feel unprepared we’ll help you figure things out when you get here

In the First Few Weeks

_____  Attend the Academic Expo during Freshman Orientation

_____  Attend at least one academically-oriented workshop or activity (e.g., McGraw’s workshop on adjusting to Princeton and starting the semester strong)

_____  Go to departmental and certificate program open houses to get more specific information about courses and requirements

_____  Get input on your course schedule from your adviser and from an upper-division student-class selection is crucial

_____  Go to the Student Activities Fair and select a small number (2-4) of extra-curricular activities.

_____  Use the Interactive Campus Map to find routes to your classes and other destinations

_____  Look ahead; once you get your syllabi, map out your due dates for all your classes

_____  Budget time for sleep, exercise, and social life; you’ll get more out of your transition

During your First Semester

_____  Create a study group for one of your classes; they’re really efficient

_____  Schedule a Learning Strategies Consultation with a McGraw Consultant

_____  Visit the Writing Center for help with your first big paper

_____  Go to at least one of your professor’s office hours to talk about something you find interesting in the course

_____  Even when things are hectic take time for recreation; this will actually make you a more successful student

_____  Find at least one mentor among faculty and staff, in addition to your adviser, to meet with regularly

_____  Attend at least one of McGraw’s workshops to prepare for your first midterms, finals, and everything in between

_____  Take 20 minutes a week to reflect on your academic approach and ways you might adjust it to meet Princeton’s demands

_____  Look around campus for additional resources, workshops, and activities to help make a smooth transition

Freshman Checklist for a Smooth Transition PDF