When traveling back to school after winter break, many students are excited at the thought of seeing friends and creating more amazing memories while on campus.
However, it’s easy for that excitement to turn into anxiety as those first-day jitters start to creep in at the notion of beginning a new semester.
As much as we likely look forward to having our social lives return to how they were when we are at school, the thought of all the work and stress that accompanies the start of a new semester is overwhelming.
Nonetheless, with a few simple tips, we can help you start your semester one the best foot possible, helping you finish out the school year stronger than when you began!
One of the biggest determiners of your success this semester is time management. Effectively managing your time is a key life skill and one that you will use time and time again (no pun intended). It is important to dedicate the appropriate amount of time to your tasks, from getting your homework done before a fun weekend out to finding a parking spot before class.
Furthermore, creating a schedule for yourself keeps you in check of any assignments due while also giving you time to relax and have fun, helping you establish a good work-life balance. Try planning out your day in the morning or at night to keep yourself accountable.
The best way to schedule your time is by using a calendar or daily planner, whether physical or digital. For example, Office 365 has a built-in calendar feature, allowing you to add in social activities, class times, and assignment due dates. Scheduling your day helps you avoid overbooking yourself.
One of the biggest aspects of time management is self-discipline; it takes tremendous focus and requires great motivation. Therefore, establishing a rewards system can help keep you consistent and encouraged, even when your mood tells you otherwise.
According to Simply Psychology, the brain releases larger quantities of dopamine in anticipating a reward; Dopamine is a chemical that makes you feel satisfied and motivated. Having a reward system while studying for a test, or even a simple task like cleaning up your dorm, can make you more driven to complete tasks in a timely manner.
The way in which you start your morning can also dictate how the rest of your day will go, so it’s important to schedule some time aside for your mornings. If you wake up with enough time to do your morning routine, it will help you feel refreshed and ready to start the day.
Some tips that might make your morning more tolerable include picking out your outfit the night before, packing up your bookbag in advance, making your bed, and having your lunch or snacks ready to go. If you have extra time in the morning, play some good music to set the tone for the day, read a few pages of a book, or stretch and get your body moving.
Speaking of snacks, one of the most important things to remember this semester is to eat. While some people don’t enjoy eating early in the morning or packing snacks, it’s crucial to nourish your brain and body with healthy foods that sustain you throughout the day. Not eating all day will make you feel sluggish and unproductive; it’s essential you eat and take care of yourself.
Staying organized can also help keep your stress levels down and save you time. Doing things like maintaining a tidy desk space or color-coding folders for each class will make you more diligent.
A sophomore marketing student, Megan Zennario, explained, “Staying organized allows me to balance my personal, social, and academic activities more effectively.”
Learning about your classes’ resources is another great way to prepare for the spring semester. If you want to stay on top of your game, attend your professors’ office hours. You can talk to your professor about different ways to approach a difficult concept, all while helping your professor get to know you better.
It is sometimes easier to ask your peers for help than to go to a professor, so going to PAL study sessions, tutoring services, or the writing center can get you the help you need in a more comfortable environment.
Kaitlin Chillemi, a sophomore education student, added, “I like utilizing the writing center to seek guidance for my papers; they have helped me build more coherent and structured essays in the past.”
While all of these aspects are important to help your semester go smoothly, all of these methods are unique to the individual. By integrating these tips into your life in a way that is best for you and your routine, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. We wish you a great start to your semester!
