Students Need To Use Their First Two Weeks Of College Wisely
The first two weeks of your college career may be the most important, according to Margaret Sebastianelli, director of Student Services Center at Penn State's College of Health and Human Development. The transition from high school to college can be challenging, so Sebastianelli offers these suggestions on how to best plan the first two weeks at the University:

• If you expect to earn an A or B grade-point average devise a plan to allow you to study 25-30 hours per week.
• Take advantage of new student orientation activities. It gives you the opportunity to meet faculty, staff and students.
• Tour the campus and locate your classes. Make time to visit the bookstore, tour the library, check out the computer labs, and locate the ATM machines.
• Attend a student involvement fair. Join organizations that interest you and will help you learn leadership and team-building skills.
• If you will live on campus, get to know your resident assistant (RA) and hall coordinator. If you live off campus, find the commuter student office.
• Learn about university resources before you need to use them, such as tutoring and career counseling. Identify the offices that provide health and psychological services to students.
• Attending a time management seminar and buy a daily planner to help you organize your time.
• Learn to use breaks in your class schedule. Review for upcoming classes, do your homework, visit a computer lab or go to the library.
• Meet your academic advisor. It is up to you to initiate the advising relationship.

Attend every class during those first two weeks. It's never good idea to miss a class, but it's important to resist skipping early in the semester when course guidelines and expectations are discussed.