This document provides tips for students starting their first week of college or university. It recommends meeting people from the start, whether they are people you already know or new acquaintances, to avoid loneliness and help find lifelong friends. The first week is the least busy, so take advantage of activities and socializing before coursework increases. Be sure to familiarize yourself with campus locations and start planning your class schedule. Developing relationships with neighbors and others on your floor will help you feel more comfortable and at home during your time in college.

2. Heading off to college or
university can be overwhelming
— there are so many changes to
get used to. However, by fitting
a few essential tasks into your
first week, you’ll quickly feel at
home.

3. Find someone to attend events
with from the start. This can be
someone you already know (if
only slightly) or a new person
you run into. It doesn’t even
matter if you stop being friends
after the first week. Having
someone by your side early on
will give you confidence.

4. The more people you meet, the
less lonely you’ll feel and the
sooner you’ll find life-long
friends. Make contacts with
people who live nearby, students
taking the same classes as you,
and anyone else you click with.

5. Your first week at college or
university will be your least
busy. It’s your chance to enjoy
activities and socialize as much
as possible, before the hard
work kicks in. You never know,
you may try a new activity that
turns out to become a major
passion.

6. Whether you’re living in Brock
University residence or in a
student apartment, make an
effort to meet the people
around you. If you’re living on
campus, talk to everyone on
your floor. If you’re in off-
campus housing, meet your
neighbors.

7. Developing relationships will
help with everything from
avoiding problems (like
arguments about loud music) to
providing you with a contact to
let you in if you forget your key.

8. Walk around campus and
familiarize yourself with where
everything is. Know exactly
where your classes will be
before your first day to avoid
getting lost and arriving late.

9. Start planning your schedule as
soon as you know your classes.
Plan when you will sleep, study,
and socialize. Most importantly,
remember that your schedule is
not set in stone.

10. If you start a class that you
dislike or find too difficult, drop
it and find something else,
unless you need that class to
graduate.

11. All of the above is easier if you
are comfortable — and that
requires a place to come back to
at the end of the day that feels
like home. If you’re looking for a
room for rent near Niagara
College, consider Regent
Student Living.

12. It is right by campus, has
everything you need on site, and
allows you to be around other
students but still have your own
independent living quarters.