- Approach the bridge to College of Winterhold.
- Speak to Faralda.
- Prove your ability OR persuade her you don't need to.
- Cross the bridge and enter the courtyard
- (Optional)Speak to Mirabelle Ervine
- Enter the Hall of the Elements
- Listen to Tolfdir's lecture and participate.
Following the main path past the ruined building in Winterhold, you will come to a large but narrow bridge. Standing at the start of the bridge is Faralda. She will ask you about your intentions and what you expect to find on entering the college. Whichever option you choose, she will continue by saying that you must take a small test to show you have some degree of skill with magic.
If you agree, she will randomly select one spell from any one of the five schools of magic for you to cast. This may be:
- Casting a Firebolt at the eye-shaped seal next to her.
- Summoning a Flame Atronach on the seal.
- Casting Fear at the seal.
- Casting Healing Hands on her.
- Casting Magelight at the seal.
You must cast the spell at the circular impression in the floor behind her. Casting the spell in any other location will not progress the quest.
Alternatively, you can attempt to Persuade her and avoid this test, or if you are here for the main quest Elder Knowledge you can tell her you are Dragonborn after which she will ask to see a shout. Either of these will get you in without needing to cast a spell.
Regardless of which path you take, Faralda will allow you across the bridge and direct you to Mirabelle Ervine.
After you speak to Mirabelle Ervine, she will want to give you a tour of the facilities. Before that, however, she will give you two items to wear (although wearing is not mandatory for membership): a Novice Hood (+30 to Magicka) and a Novice Robes of Destruction (-12% to Destruction Spell Magicka Cost, Magicka regenerates 50% faster).
As the player follows her around, she will point and explain the few areas and what their purpose is.
She will lead you to your new quarters, which is an Apprentice room held in a circular chamber with 5 rooms total. One for each of the apprentices, and one for Tolfdir. Your room is the first on the right, which includes a bed, a drawer, some starting items such as a few soul gems.
Upon completing the tour, she will ask you to join the lecture hall and listen to Tolfdir. Tolfdir will start talking to you and your 3 other peers. Their anxiety is palpable. Your peers will badger the professor to teach them the practical magical knowledge, eventually asking you for what you think. Even if your dialog choice is "I think safety is important and should be learned first", Tolfdir will still cave in and ask you to perform a protection Ward spell. If you do not have this spell, he will give it to you freely. You will be asked to cast the spell and fend off his attack with it.
After you successfully defend yourself from one of his fire balls, the quest is finished, and the next quest will automatically begin.
