Your first month in Germany has a fixed sequence. Tick each item off as you go — most steps depend on the one before it.

1. Days 1–3: Find short-term housing — hostel or aparthotel if your long-term lease starts later in the month.
2. Days 1–14: Anmeldung — register your address at the local Bürgeramt (mandatory by day 14).
3. Day 7–14: Open a German bank account — most banks require Anmeldung confirmation before opening.
4. Day 7–14: Activate health insurance — public (TK, AOK, Barmer) or private; mandatory before university enrolment.
5. Day 7–21: Apply for residence permit (non-EU students) — book your Ausländerbehörde appointment online immediately on arrival; slots fill weeks ahead.
6. Day 14–21: Buy a SIM card and home internet plan — most contracts require Anmeldung confirmation.
7. Day 14–21: Activate Semesterticket — your university card includes regional public transit.
8. Day 21–28: Register at your university — collect student ID, library access, and university email.
9. Day 21–28: Find a GP (Hausarzt) — listed on your insurer's website.
10. Day 28–30: Join your university's international student union or local ESN section — the fastest way to make friends.

Sources: Federal Ministry of the Interior, Deutsches Studierendenwerk, official insurer pages. This checklist is informational only — confirm details with your university's international office.