Days between visa and flying – make those count

Activate University Email: On the basis of the student ID number provided with the admission offer, try to activate your university email ID. You may have to contact the University computer center/helpdesk for this.

Email some Professors: Now that you have the university email, the chances of getting a reply from a professor have increased manifold. However use caution and send meaningful emails only. Read this for details: “How to Email Professors”.

Compile medical records: Compile your immunization record as per the expectation and format of your university. Getting some of the preventive immunization in your own country will save you time and money. If you never got your blood group tested, now is a good time. Make sure you carry a record of all immunization you get.

Register for classes: Register for classes that you are most interested in. Some classes fill so fast that by the time you land, the interesting classes or those offered by coolest professors may be all taken. Some universities impose restrictions on registration by new students, particularly to enforce that students provide their immunization record. If that is the case, you can proactively fax your immunization records, and request the university health center to get the registration blocks removed.

Learn to type: Whether or not your major is related to computers, learning typing will help find a student worker job. Some student worker positions specifically ask for the typing speed, so it is important to be able to type at a good speed.

Learn Computer skills: Again, whether or not your major is related to computers, some basic computing skills are useful in all fields of studies. If you know programming or can develop web pages you will have a much better chance of getting a student worker job or out of department assistantship.

Learn to drive: Learning to drive can be very expensive in the US. If you learn and practice in your hometown, you will be prepared as and when you need to drive in the US.

Get a driver’s license: If you plan to drive in USA, get a driving license. If you have no plans to drive in USA, get a driving license. Here is why. “Get a Driving License Now – Save dollars later”.

Get a International driving permit: On the basis of your local driving license, you can get a IDP – International Driving Permit. This is generally valid for one year.

Buy Books: Books are very expensive in the US. Look up the department website for various courses and syllabi and try to carry required books with you. Carrying books with you is neither illegal nor unethical, as long as it is for your own use. So write your name on the books so that the customs does not consider those as new books. Do not sell your books once you are in USA, because that might be illegal.

Linkup with fellow incoming students: Look for various online groups and mailing lists of incoming students for your university. You can find many from your city. In many cases students meet and sync up for group booking of air tickets etc. Read: “How to book the air ticket to the USA”

Contact the student association(s): Contact the student association of your own country in your target University. For example, if you are an Indian, you may contact the Indian Student Association for a ride from airport to the university and initial help. If you are from a small country with very few students, you can still contact the international student association or the student association of another country for help.