Your First Week on a US Campus: A Day-by-Day Checklist

Day 1: Arrival and immigration check-in

After you clear Customs and Border Protection and reach your housing, your first task is reporting to your school. You must report to your school by the program start date listed on your Form I-20, according to Study in the States . Your designated school official (DSO) uses this check-in to activate your SEVIS record and confirm your student status is valid.

• Find your school's exact check-in process before you travel, in person or online.

• Bring your passport, visa, I-20, and I-94 printout to any in-person check-in.

• Save your DSO's contact details in your phone.

Day 2: International student orientation begins

Most schools schedule mandatory orientation sessions in your first days on campus. These cover visa status rules, on-campus work limits, health insurance enrollment, and basic academic expectations.

• Attend every required session, missing one can delay your registration.

• Submit copies of your immigration documents if your school requests them.

• Get your campus map and confirm your academic advising appointment time.

Day 3: Student ID, health requirements, and insurance

Your student ID card gives you access to the library, dining halls, gym, and most campus buildings, so getting it early saves you trips later.

• Submit any immunization records your school requires before you can register for classes.

• Confirm you are enrolled in your university's health insurance plan, or file a waiver with proof of comparable coverage.

• Take a short campus tour if your orientation program offers one.

Day 4: Banking, phone, and housing admin

Set up the basic services you need to function day to day.

• Open a US bank account, bringing your passport, I-20, and proof of address.

• Get a US phone plan or SIM card.

• Set up mail forwarding or a mailbox if you live off campus.

Day 5: Academic advising and registration

Meet your academic advisor to confirm or adjust your class schedule before the term fills up.

• Learn your school's add/drop deadline, the window to change classes without academic or financial penalty.

• Confirm your course load meets full-time enrollment rules for your visa status.

• Buy or rent your textbooks once your schedule is set.

Day 6: Campus systems and finances

Lock in the accounts and logins you use for the rest of the term.

• Set up your student email and learning management system login.

• Check your billing account and confirm your tuition payment deadline.

• Ask your DSO about on-campus work eligibility and weekly hour limits if you plan to work.

Day 7: Settle into a routine

Use your last first-week day to get oriented outside the classroom.

• Explore your neighborhood, grocery stores, and transit options.

• Join a student club or attend an international student association event.

• Save copies of everything from this week: SEVIS check-in confirmation, insurance card, student ID, and class schedule.

Before you count day one

Your first week really starts before you land. Confirm your school's exact check-in location and hours, pack your immigration documents in your carry-on, and write down your DSO's phone number and after-hours emergency contact in case you land on a weekend or holiday.

• Screenshot your orientation schedule so you can find it without wifi.

• Bring a passport-style photo, some ID cards and forms still ask for one.

• Note your housing office's move-in hours, they are not always 24 hours.

If your first week falls on a weekend

Many schools compress or shift check-in and orientation when the semester starts near a weekend. Some international offices offer a limited weekend check-in for flights that land Friday through Sunday, while others ask you to wait until Monday. Confirm this with your DSO before you book your flight, since it affects how many buffer days you need before your program start date.

What to bring to every office visit

• Passport, visa, I-20, and I-94 printout

• Acceptance letter and proof of funds

• A working phone number and US address, even if temporary

• A pen, some offices still use paper forms for parts of check-in

Common first-week mistakes to avoid

• Skipping mandatory orientation sessions because you assume they only cover basics you already know.

• Registering for classes before confirming the course load meets your visa's full-time enrollment rule.

• Waiting past the add/drop deadline to fix a scheduling conflict.

• Losing track of which documents you already submitted to which office.

A note for graduate and transfer students

If you join a graduate program or transfer from another US school, some steps look different from a first-year undergraduate schedule. Your department may run its own orientation separate from the general international student one, and your advisor meeting often doubles as a research or teaching assistantship discussion. Ask your department coordinator directly whether you follow the standard week-one checklist or a modified one built for your program.

Keep a simple first-week log

Write down the date, office, and outcome each time you complete a task this week, even a short note in your phone works. If a question comes up later about when you checked in with your DSO or submitted a form, this log gives you a fast, accurate answer instead of relying on memory. Many students find this log useful again later, when applying for on-campus jobs, renewing documents, or preparing for future travel.

People who can help if you get stuck

• Your DSO handles anything tied to your visa status and SEVIS record.

• Your academic advisor handles class schedules, majors, and add/drop questions.

• Your housing office handles keys, roommate issues, and move-in problems.

• Peer mentors or student ambassadors, if your school assigns one, answer the small day-to-day questions you may feel are too minor for an official office.