0
Housing, taxes, credit, driving, daily life
Most status problems are not dramatic, they are paperwork. Keep a full course load unless authorized otherwise, report address and employment changes on time, never work without authorization even a little, and watch your program and OPT end dates. A missed report or an unauthorized side gig can undo years of progress. Treat your DSO as a partner and ask before acting. What small thing almost tripped you up?
Landing is a paperwork sprint. A rough order that works: activate your I-20 and report to your DSO, apply for an SSN if eligible, set up a bank account, get a state ID or driver license, and set up a phone plan that does not need credit. Keep digital and paper copies of your I-20, I-94, passport, and visa. What is one task you wish someone had told you to do sooner?
No US credit history is one of the first walls people hit. Common first steps: get your SSN if you are work-authorized, open a secured credit card or a student card, keep utilization low, and never miss a payment. Some banks and card products are built for newcomers and do not require prior history. Credit compounds, so starting a few months earlier genuinely helps later with apartments and cars. What worked for you to get started?