<p>While catalogs are good to read try to find the actual course offerings in the past year or two. Most schools have those online now but they are not always easy to find.</p>
<p>Take a good spread of courses in your first year to both help get requirements out of the way and to try out new areas.</p>
<p>Find a good system of contacts to help you evaluate Professors. While you never know who you will like it is best to avoid Professors who get universally bad reviews. If your school allows it visit/shop as many courses as possible in the first week or two before committing.</p>
<p>Don’t kill yourself first semester, i.e. take lots of lab courses, but take a schedule that does stretch you.</p>
<p>Have fun, in moderation (I am a parent after all), but take the academics very seriously. Do not get behind in your work and establish an organized approach to managing your time.</p>
<p>Attend every different on-campus event (music, drama, sports etc.) you can, even/especially those you didn’t attend in High School. You will meet new people and might find something you are interested.</p>