Hamperton

I feel kind of clueless. I will be starting in the Fall for a MS in Mechanical Engineering. Are we "expected" to have an advisor before school starts? I asked the department advisor, and he said we need an advisor by the the end of the first year, but I'm not sure what a normal timeline is. I'd prefer to wait until school starts so I can speak with potential advisors in person, but maybe it's expected to find an advisor earlier. This year I have a TA position. If next year I want an RA position, that would probably be with my advisor? Is it weird to work in a lab other than your advisor's? I feel really unprepared, and I don't know what to expect. Thanks for the help.