Ten things to help you start the semester off on the right foot.

Ah, the smell of a new semester. What? You aren’t excited. Yeah, me neither.

There are a few tips, however, that will make the start of every new semester a little more bearable. I have 10 for you, and if you think I’ve missed any, make sure and post them for everyone else to see.

1. Don’t buy your books until you attend the first class. Unless a teacher e-mails you to tell you otherwise, often you’ll find that a book or two on the list isn’t really needed. Or you might go to class and realize studying won’t be necessary. Either way, it’ll save you some much-needed cash.

2. Go out and have fun the weekend before the first day of class. Your first week back at school sets the tone for the rest of the semester. Cutting out some time to have fun right off the bat will make you realize that school doesn’t have to be all drudgery. Remember, though, that class will start regardless of your state of being… so don’t go overboard.

3. For the first week or two, arrive early to classes. No, this isn’t my inner bookworm speaking. Hardly any professors have seating charts, but you know that people settle in to a general seat or general area as the weeks go by. If you don’t want to be stuck in the front (or given a weird look if you “take someone’s seat”), make sure you grab a desirable chair right away. 

4. Make yourself a real, quality dinner. After midterms are over and you’ve eaten 10 frozen dinners in 12 nights, you’ll remember the start of the semester and what real food tastes like.

5. Go to the gym. Remember that “setting the tone” schpiel? Yeah. You’ll be happy you did, I swear, even if it only lasts a week. Flex those muscles while you can.

6. Register for more classes than you are planning on taking. If you are unsure whether you’ll like a certain class, go ahead and register for an additional class you think you’d like if the first class doesn’t work out. There’s no harm in registering for 18 or 20 units, then dropping a class after a few days.

7. After you’ve finalized your schedule, post it on Facebook. Cramster’s app for sharing your course schedule is the best one of its kind. Think I’m exaggerating? Check it out for yourself at apps.facebook.com/cramster. I told you so.

8. Start reading the books you know will be important. The first few weeks of every semester contain more free time than any other week. Take those weeks off, and you’ll likely never catch up. C’mon, you know I’m right.

9. Ask that guy or girl out on a date. You know who I’m talking about, and you know it’ll never happen if you don’t do it now. No better jumpstart to a semester than a boost of confidence. Plus, if you do something cool now, staying in to study won’t seem so lame to your boyfriend or girlfriend later in the semester.

10. Find out how Cramster.com can help you get through your classes this semester. When it comes time for midterms and finals, you’ll be happy you did.