Preparing and Planning

What happens on the first day?

Each instructor will have a different approach to the first day of class, but in most face-to-face classes you will:

• Meet your instructor.
• Review the syllabus.
• Get a 'preview' of what the course is about or what you will be covering throughout the semester.

Get to campus early so you have plenty of time to park, find your building, and find your classroom. It's important to arrive on time and be prepared to stay for the whole class period. Many instructors will jump right into the first lesson, guide you through your first activity, and/or use the class time for students to get to know each other on the first day.

If you are taking an online class, log into eLearning (Moodle) on the first day of the semester (check your schedule, as it's not always a Monday). Your instructor will have some information ready for you about getting started in the class. Downloading the syllabus, writing an introductory post in a discussion forum, and completing a short quiz or survey are all common assignments at the very beginning of an online course. If you have any questions about accessing or navigating Moodle, call the Help Desk at 231-995-3020, or stop by the Student Success Center. If you have questions about how the course is organized or about your first assignments, e-mail your instructor as soon as possible.