The school year has once again started with the regular commotion of figuring out class schedules, getting school supplies, creating friendships and for freshmen or transfer students, getting used to the NIU lifestyle.

Here’s what some NIU students said when asked about their best advice.

It’s very important to meet new friends, especially when it comes to freshman students, said Dave Kosrow, senior visual communications major.

“Schedule further out in your calendar; look past like the next week,” said Andrew Dewar, senior sound recording and media technologies major. “Stay involved on campus, especially extra-curricular things.”

Staying ahead with schoolwork is also a must, said Christopher Yen, junior math education major and transfer student from Harper College. Yen said he would sometimes take a day or two off from school at Harper College which made it difficult to catch up with the course material.

“So, every time they’ve learned new stuff, I had to learn the old stuff and then they would learn new stuff again which makes everything super difficult,” Yen said.

“Don’t skip class and don’t drink too much,” said Jake Staudt, junior mechanical engineering major.

“It’s kinda hard to sleep sometimes, and I can understand that, but always do your best to at least make up that sleep so you’re not falling asleep in your classes,” said Nicole Waters, sophomore political science major. Paying attention to the syllabus is also critical, Waters said.