So you're here. Whether you're a new student or a fourth year, you've crammed all your belongings in a dorm or an apartment or a house, and the only thing left to await -- other than the parties those few nights before classes start -- is the first day of class.
During the first week of classes, many students actually show up to class and maybe even do a little homework. But if that doesn't sound like any fun, here are some other ways to fill your schedule.
1. Get personal
For most first years, being one student in a 150-person class will be a brand new experience. No professor can get to know a student he or she lectures to twice a week, so it's up to you to make the effort.
But if there are so many people in one class and TAs do the majority of the grading, why is it important to actually meet your professors?
"Professors are really cool people," third-year Engineering student Emily Hesaltine said. "They all have experiences that you wouldn't hear about in the classroom ... especially the professors who have done things before becoming professors."
Media Sudies Prof. William Fishback teaches two news writing classes of 20 students or less, a number smaller than some high school classes. Even though he can be more personal with his students than other professors who teach mainly lecture-size classes, Fishback said he welcomes students who want to meet one on one.
"It's a part of going away to college ... a part of growing up, that you need to develop a sharp enough edge to want to come visit a professor," Fishback said.
Fishback emphasized the need to visit not only when a student needs help in the class, even if students may feel uncomfortable dropping by just to say hello.
"Probably the majority of students are reluctant to do that, particularly at first, but you really shouldn't be," Fishback said.
Every professor is required to hold office hours each week, and Hesaltine said she has found dropping by office hours is the best way to approach most professors.
"One of the best pieces of advice I received before my first year is professors are required to have office hours," Hesaltine said. "Generally they sit there unless someone comes in, so they would love to have someone to talk to, especially at the beginning of the year when there's nothing else to do."
On the other hand, Fishback noted a downfall to the system of holding set office hours.
"Sometimes everyone wants to come [during office hours] at the same time," Fishback said. "For me, it's best to make an appointment first."
Stepping up and taking the initiative not only benefits students' personal development, but Fishback said professors also enjoy meeting with students.
"I want to know what drives [my students]," Fishback said. "I want to know what interests they have beyond my class. [Later, they sometimes] get on my computer screen asking for recommendations, so I want to know more than the scores they made in my class."
Hesaltine also highlighted benefits like having resources for recommendations.
"Professors are more willing to help you after you've taken the chance to get to know them," Hesaltine said.
Fishback said one of the best parts of developing a close student-professor bond extends beyond the classroom.
"The great reward is to see the success of University of Virginia students, and doubly so when they want to share it with you," Fishback said.
2. Get involved
According to the Student Activities Center's website, there are 498 active organizations waiting for you to get involved with. From club sports to community service groups to fraternities and sororities, there is practically something for everyone.
An opportunity to shop around and find the perfect organization is the annual Fall Activities Fair. Hundreds of groups cram into the Amphitheater to attract new members.
"When I first saw the Amphitheater [during the activity fair last year], I was like, 'Holy smokes!'" second-year College student Sonia Taneja said. "I couldn't wait to get down there and experience it."
Once Taneja began shopping around, she said the sheer number of activities became a bit overwhelming.
"I even signed up for fencing," Tanjea said. "That's how extreme I went."
Despite the number and the crowds, Taneja said the activity fair was effective in displaying almost all of the University's extracurricular activities.
"When you go there, you're introduced to what actually happens [in the organization]," Taneja said. "Within two hours max, you've got your entire college career planned."
Community service is popular among students, and the University's premier community service organization is known as Madison House.
"The mission of Madison House is to increase the student experience at U.Va., make students aware of options of community service in Charlottesville and promote service through active service projects," said Florence Davis, fourth-year College student and Madison House student co-chair.
With an average time commitment of one hour per week, Davis listed other advantages of joining the 3200 other students who volunteer with Madison House.
"The biggest advantage is getting to know the community in which you're living," Davis said. "By knowing the people in the community better, you help Charlottesville and, in turn, help U.Va. and, in turn, help the volunteers."
Although Madison House accepts volunteers of all years, Davis said becoming involved is especially good for first years.
"A volunteer community is established," Davis said. "Especially first year when you're finding your place at U.Va., [Madison House is a great place] to find a niche and people who share similar interests."
3. Get a bite to eat on the Corner
The Corner, the strip of businesses on University Ave., abounds with restaurants where you can get away and grab a quick meal.
Second-year College and Education student Katie Hickson said she views the Corner as a relaxing break from academics.
"There's just kind of an energizing atmosphere," Hickson said. "It's a great place to go and walk around and catch up with friends."
Especially for students with meal plans, Hickson said eating on the Corner is a tasty alternative to everyday meals.
"Dining hall food gets redundant very quickly," Hickson said.
Even though meals at the dining halls are pre-paid and the Corner restaurants require cash out of students' pockets, Hickson noted the big difference in prices between restaurants.
"There is such a range of different types of restaurants," Hickson said. "If you want to go somewhere like Littlejohn's, you could pay [less than] if you want to go somewhere like Jabberwocke ... but you're also paying for a very different dining experience."
Hickson said she prefers the 24-hour-a-day Littlejohn's than any other Corner cuisine.
"Everything they make is delicious," Hickson said. "It's cheap, it's fast and they have excellent apple muffins."
After being here a year and experiencing all that Charlottesville has to offer, Hickson said the Corner is one of her favorite places.
"It just feels like home," Hickson said. "It really feels like the heart of Wahoo country."
4. Get your heart rate up
The first week of classes may be stressful, so go for a run -- or a walk, or a jog or to the gym.
"Exercise is basically just movement, like walking," said Melanie Brede, nutrition educator at the Office of Health Promotion. "Certainly on campus there are opportunities for that."
Obviously there is a difference between a leisurely stroll and a power walk, but Brede set a rule of thumb for knowing whether your level of activity is doing something beneficial for your health.
"Ideally, [the activity] gets your heart rate going," Brede said. "If you are doing something vigorous enough so that singing is difficult but you can still have a conversation, that's a level of activity that will give you some fitness and health benefits."
Brede cautioned that fitness and health benefits do not only mean losing weight.
"I think a lot of people think of exercise as weight management, but, in reality, it's very beneficial for stress management," Brede said. "People report fewer sleep problems and sleep more soundly."
Additionally, the break from academics in itself is important for a healthy lifestyle.
"On campus there are lots and lots of opportunities to exercise in a social way," Brede said. "Join a club sport, plan an intramural team. Recreation is important in and of itself for balance and wellness."
5. Get ready for football
You know the words to the Good Old Song and you've gotten your Orange Fever T-shirt, so now what?
You eagerly await Sept. 9 at 3:30 when the Cavaliers take on Wyoming in their first home game, like second-year Engineering student Tucker Moore said he will be.
"Especially since our house is on Stadium Rd., [I'm looking forward to] cookouts before the games ... just being a part of the action going on on Stadium before the game," Moore said.
Even though tailgating is an essential part of college football, Moore did not leave out his favorite parts of the games themselves.
"The best part is definitely just getting all dressed in orange and getting together with all your friends," Moore said. "It's also hanging out on the hill -- because that's definitely the best place to watch the game-- and being with the gigantic party that goes on on the hill before and after the football game."
Moore said he had fond memories from his first-year football games, especially from the Florida State win.
"When we won the game, [my little brother and I] got up onto the goal post and both of us had pictures in the paper," Moore said.
Moore pointed out that the beauty of University football is the ease of getting a ticket.
"Getting into the game for free is definitely what makes the game worth going to," Moore said. "If you had to pay for tickets, nobody would be there."
An ongoing debate is what to wear to the games. Some students follow University tradition and wear ties and sundresses, but other students choose to wear orange.
Regardless of what you wear or where you sit, Moore emphasized the main thing is enjoying the game with friends.
"Football season is the best time of year up at school, especially with the weather how it is and just the whole atmosphere," Moore said. "It's the best time of college."
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