Are you Malaysian? Where are you going to study?
I'm from KL and started my Masters at ETH last October. Was extremely confused about what to do as noone really knew! Basically we don't need a student visa, as you already know. They recommend getting an "assurance for a residence permit", but that is actually quite unnecessary (I tried but it took too long and got here before that was issued!). Just go to your local Kreisburo when you arrive, give them all the paperwork needed, and you'll probably get your permit between a month to 3 months!
In my case, it took longer, because half of my documents (Bank statement, CV, letter stating I will return to Malaysia and reason for studying here) were posted to the Migration office (for that assurance letter). Meanwhile the Kreisburo waited and only asked me for the documents about 4 months later. The Migration office was meant to have passed them on to the Kreisburo but they didn't. The moment they realised that slip up, things got into place and I got my B permit (student) in 2 weeks.
Right now I'm in a mess again, since I'm going to do an internship in the next semester and have to 1. get a work permit (hopefully done by employer) and 2. renew my residence permit the same time i start my job (which is in a different canton). I'm hoping I still qualify as a student and that they don't consider the internship as working more than 15 hours/week. I don't know. Will have to post separately in the forums for advice!
Hope to meet you here in Switzerland soon