At the beginning, sign up to anything and everything. Hit the ground running in terms of learning techniques and processes, there are so many workshops available (and you may find that some of them clash, but don't be disheartened by it, just try to repeat it next term or in your second year if you need to.) The technicians provide a wonderful learning opportunity, so use it. Also commit a lot of time to drawing, whatever discipline you are into. Sign up to life drawing workshops and give some real time to sketching regularly, it will benefit you immensely even if you enjoy it or not.
It will also benefit you to sign up for volunteering opportunities at local galleries and art events. This provides you with points of contact for the future, however if you start to think that you are giving too much of your time away don't be afraid to scale it down. The ability to differentiate between a useful opportunity and a waste of time is important.
Before you spend your student loan on anything else, get yourself kitted out. Buy tools, a decent staple gun, craft knives and quality brushes/pencils etc. These will be invaluable to you throughout and you will be so glad that you have your own kit as these items become sacred towards the end of the year. Keep them safe as there are usually certain people who like to "permanently borrow" stuff that's left lying around.
Try to have a ritual in the studio. It is difficult to be disciplined but if you can get into a pattern of working every day with a few breaks, you'll find that your productivity will soar. Also remember that it's good to actually be seen by your tutors and fellow students - so try to put the hours in during the daytime! Pop your head round other people's studio spaces now and again to see what they are up to. You'll be alongside these people in future exhibitions so get a good working relationship going.
Professionalism is important, at any stage of your degree. Don't confuse professionalism with being overly serious though, as you are liable to come across as a bit arrogant. Be polite, turn up on time and you will be so much more likely to be offered opportunities and included in the important stuff.
Lastly, enjoy every second of your degree. You will probably spend a great deal of time procrastinating, self-doubting, and dramatically sobbing in corners about deadlines, but those hard-to-come-by moments of pure inspiration and solid work are so worth it.
In the words of Gerhard Richter:
"Now there are no priests or philosophers left, artists are the most important people in the world."
