How to Make the Most of Your First Year

Open and read your USF email. Seems basic, but this is how your professors and others will communicate with you. If you’re not reading your email, you’re missing something.

Know your professors’ office hours. Schedule a visit. Most professors are available to meet in person or on Zoom. Office hours are a good time to ask questions outside of class and get to know your teachers.

Keep your calendar up to date. This is important — don’t miss deadlines for applying to immersion programs, for joining clubs, and, of course, for class assignments.

Find your way around the library. Find a quiet spot to study, book a group study room, or do research at Gleeson Library. 

Get familiar with Career Services. Use Handshake, a tool for finding jobs, and keep up with emails from the Career Services Center.  Stop by for a visit and learn about internships.

Have fun and seek experience. Looking ahead, you may need work experience to apply for some internships. Join one of many campus clubs and get involved. Sign up for USF TV or join the Campus Activities Board , for example, and you can get experience that may help you land an internship next year.

Learn more about Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). It’s normal to struggle, especially during periods of transition. CAPS is here to help. It’s easy to set up an appointment that works with your schedule.

These tips can help students have a good year and set them up for a wonderful time at USF. It’s normal to struggle, especially during periods of transition. CAPS is here to help."

Lamonte R. Stamps Assistant Dean for New Students and Families.

Get to know CASA. The Center for Academic and Student Achievement (CASA) assigns an academic success coach to each USF undergraduate student. To learn what CASA can do for you, stop by during the first week of school. Throughout the year, you can drop in if you have a quick question.