This one goes out to the students, regardless of what level or how long you're staying.

Typically you arrive early, as in- before your student aka "Dekey" housing is available in the first days of September. Tradition is that the average student arrives early, stays in a hostel for a few days while trying to get things in order before the official move in. The reasoning behind doing this is solid so the tradition to some extent, makes sense. Still, I'd like to extend 4 tips:

1 - Don't arrive too early. A few days, sure, that gives you some time to handle getting a phone, bike, a map, and generally getting used to the simple things, like how to handle the grocery store. (?) Show up weeks in advance and you may find your money disappearing into thin air. Without a kitchen to cook for yourself or an apartment to live in, you'll be paying quite alot for all those early days you arrive. To make matters worse you may find alot of stuff still moving slowly as it is still vacation for alot of people around town.

2 - Don't buy books. Even on the first day of classes you shouldn't buy books. They're expensive and surprisingly, you often don't need them. There could be a reader or a book at the library that will do the trick, and you won't know that if you go buying books early in the game. Plus even after the first day, you may decide not to stay in the course, so go easy on the book buying.

3 - This is for before you arrive when you pack. If there's something you think you won't need but you're bringing anyway - STOP. Shed the extra stuff and the excessive baggage. You don't want to get the excessive-weight baggage charge, and equally annoying is navigating a new city with way too many bags dragging behind you. Most clothes and odds and ends that you'll need as the year goes on you can buy right here for relatively cheap. Sweaters, for example, take up lots of room, as do towels, leave them home and pick some up here.. the local economy thanks you!

4 - Do what you can to never take a cab in Amsterdam. It is expensive, drivers can sometimes be irritable if you're not going "far enough" for their taste. But most importantly, again, it is very expensive so if you must do it... be prepared to fork over the cash.

4 is enough for today. There's still alot more to talk about including bikes... a topic close to my heart.