First Semester students - when to arrive?

[woods]

Hi Everyone,
In my acceptance package the school recommended that first semester students come 5 - 6 days before orientation. I was thinking I wouldn't need that much time, just a couple of days to get settled in.
I wanted to get some feedback from past students - was it necessary to come that early? How many days did you find to be sufficient?
Thanks!

[icesage]

5-6 days is way too early. I would say come on the Saturday before the Monday orientation. I came 5-6 days early and was utterly bored.

[aspiringmedstudent]

If you have a reason for not going early - special engagements, need more family time, etc, I would say it's good to come that early! Maybe not 6 days, but around 4 or so.

One advantage of coming early is having a couple of business days to get yourself started... Namely internet/ cell phone, cable (if you're not in dorms first semester), etc. Sometimes the phone/internet place closes early on Friday - so being there that morning of the Thur before might be helpful! The Monday before classes is SO busy with people trying to get their cell phones, internet hook ups, cable hook ups, etc, that you end up having to do some waiting around. It can take 1-2 weeks to get your internet set up if you do it right when classes start. I was happy to have my internet from Day 1! You will also have time start your driver's license paperwork if you're planning on driving. (Although, you do have 3 months after arriving on the island until you're "legally" required to have one. Sometimes it can take a while to get that done, though..) You can go on Saturday to do the bulk of your grocery shopping (10% off at grocery stores on Wed and Sat) done before classes start.

Besides all the errands, etc, it's great to get there early to explore the island! Once classes start, you'll be studying from Day 1! It's nice to have a couple of days to explore, beach, hike, dive, eat out (BBQ night on Friday and steak night on Sun at Swinging Doors)... or whatever else! I think that's the best part - getting to enjoy some downtime before the choas begins!

Also - coming in closer to the beginning of classes means that you probably won't have your luggage with you (if you take the plane). That isn't necessarily a big deal though :) Regardless of what travel arrangements you're making, don't leave your boat tickets until the last minute because the boats can get full on Sun and Monday before classes start!

Some people don't like going to the island until the day before or even the day OF orientation/classes. I always needed at least 2 days to settle in and that was not even during first semester! First semester, I got there on the Thur before class started and I found that was plenty of time to get things started and also have time for some fun. That's what I would suggest. BUT to each his own! Hope this helps.

[tpw2k]

if you are just planning on coming for the sake of being early, dont come a week early, just show up 3 days early...if you want to get scuba certified, come 5 days early, get a group together if your classmates and get it done. Get group rate should be around 200 per person, dont settle for anything more than taht