Everyone has their own first impression of campus. Here are a few pointers you might want to keep in mind as you move to the middle of the desert for the next few years:

• Make yourself comfortable. Figure out the kind of lifestyle you want to lead on campus (the sooner you get comfortable with 8 AM classes, the better) and prepare for the highs and lows of the Pilani thermometer.
• Make friends. Start with your roommate (highly recommended) and expand within your wings, classes, clubs, departments, sports grounds, and randomly around campus as comfortable.
• Stay fed and hydrated. Find your closest water cooler and favourite eatery. Getting to know people in your mess might score you extra sweets and ice cream on occasion (or go just before closing time—things usually become a little more laissez-faire).
• Strike a deal with your local dhobi, get a Laundromat membership, or allocate a washing powder budget. Either way, it is beneficial to secure a constant supply of clean clothes.
• Explore campus. Figure out where obscure roads lead and find your favourite spots.
• Get a bicycle if you want to be surrounded by friends asking to borrow your bicycle. They are particularly recommended for residents of Meera Bhawan.
• The sooner you figure out the academic buildings and the room numbering system, the easier it becomes to grab the best seats in class.
• Interactions are a great way of easing yourself into the campus culture machine, finding groups with similar (and dissimilar) interests, and scoring free food from seniors.
• Clubs and Associations will target you with introductions and workshops. For first-year students, getting into most of them requires little more than interest and enthusiasm.
• The library contains rooms that stay quiet and cool year-round. If the collection of literature and nerd wish-fulfilment is not enough to draw your interest, you may want to check it out for comfort.
• Read through the remainder of Issue Zero.

The next section contains the personal opinions of a fifth-year student. Reader discretion is advised.

In the honest opinion of the author, it is probably best not to start campus life on a checklist. Between registration, classes, interactions, exploring, adjusting, and last-minute trips to Akshay, there will be plenty to do on campus. A lot of it will probably be new to most students. Embrace as much as possible. There is no better time for new experiences than first year.