After a month of relaxation and not worrying about exams, getting back into the swing of things is not something that is always granted. But with good intentions and a little bit of an organization, things can feel a bit easier. Here are some tips to set yourself up for success for the upcoming semester!
Prepare and plan
Another semester may call for feeling overwhelmed. However, when you take steps to prepare yourself for what’s to come and you have a relatively set routine in place, you can feel more confident. What does this mean from a tangible standpoint? It means taking steps that you know will personally help you in the long run.
For example, if you are worried about not being able to find a class that is annoyingly far away in a building that you have never heard of, walk your classes the day before with a friend. If the professor has already emailed you about the textbooks you need, call the bookstore in advance or go as soon as you get back on campus. Get your notebooks before the first day of class to avoid long lines! Read over your syllabi so that nothing will creep up on you. As long as you know yourself and what makes you feel ready to take your days head on, you can plan in a manner that is both practical and enjoyable.
Set attainable goals
When it comes to new year resolutions and a new semester of opportunity, we tend to get pretty idealistic. This is a great thing, but it is just as important to be honest with yourself. For example, if procrastination is a prominent issue for you, it is likely not plausible to make your semester goal to stop procrastination as a whole. It is more realistic to have the goal of lessening your procrastination and making it something you actively work on.
Try to make goals that will set you up for success. If your goal is to get your GPA up, set a goal of having a more structured routine for each class so that you are covering all aspects of your courses. If there are times where you are struggling, make it a priority to see your professors and TAs. Try to join one more extracurricular that you are genuinely interested in. It’s all about small steps, not being hard on yourself and making sure you are trying your best!
Prioritize your well-being
When we are trying our best to do all these things at once, we are prone to exhaustion and burnout. A way to prevent this is prioritizing yourself through self-care. This means investing in activities that are for you each day. Whether it be getting your favorite coffee, exercising with a friend or watching your favorite show on Netflix, it is important to sit back and do small actions that bring you peace in the midst of chaotic days.
Make sure that you are ready to take the semester head on and also remember to take care of yourself!
