Welcome to your first year of college! We here in your college advising office want to do everything we can to help you reach your full potential and succeed in your college career.

To help get a start with that, we have put together a list of tips and recommendations that we hope you look at and follow. This list was made by your professional advisors and your peer advisors (who are also students like you), so they are made by people in the know! Read on, and follow the links to many more ideas and resources to help you make the most of your first year at the University of Minnesota.

*Go to the first day of class! As we mentioned in orientation, the university says a professor can give away your seat if you don't (plus it's just a good idea!)

*Attend all your classes. Yes, your syllabus might not say attendance is mandatory. But, if you miss a day, you miss a lot. Go to class. After all, you're paying for it.

*Do the reading and other homework. Although it may look optional, it isn't if you want to do well in the class. And those "optional" problem sets in math class? No way. They are a must. Just ask your friends who did poorly on their first math midterm!

*Get in the habit of going to professor and TA office hours. Make a goal of visiting each of them at least once each semester (if that seems like too much, make a smaller goal, then increase it each semester). You don't need to have a complaint about a grade to take advantage of this resource. Get class tips. Ask about majors or careers. Ask about related classes or opportunities.

*Schedule study time. Yes, schedule it in like you would classes or work. Then stick to it! Click here for more resources on time management http://www.ucs.umn.edu/lasc/handouts/betterstudy.html

*Make studying fun. Study in groups for classes. Study with friends. Find a fun atmosphere, like a coffee shop, where you can study, but still have a break from your room or the library.

*Get involved. Whether living on campus or commuting, connect with others on campus. Click here for an article on some of the many ways to get involved.

http://admissions.tc.umn.edu/StudentLife/support.html

*See your advisor regularly. Of course we'd put this one in, but it's true. Make an appointment at least once each semester.

*Learn to use the libraries. Take a tour and learn about all they have to offer.

-Go to http://www.lib.umn.edu/registration/ to see what workshops are being offered in the near future

-Go to http://www.lib.umn.edu/research/instruction/AboutUnravel.phtml to learn about the "Unravel the Library" workshop series.

-Go to http://www.lib.umn.edu/research/instruction/index.phtml to find a whole range of online and in person resources to help you learn to use the libraries, including virtual tours and search helps.

*Go to at least one information session each semester. Learn about a major, career, or other fun opportunity (like study abroad, National Student Exchange, or student organizations). Then share what you've learned with your friends, and learn where they've gone too.

*Check your university email account regularly.

That's it for now (and plenty to digest, I'm sure). Have a great summer and fall semester. And, oh hey, the last tip: keep checking this web site for events, announcements, etc!