This post originally appeared on Anna’s 1st blog, Annamotion.
1. Unpack ASAP
If you can, get to your dorm as early as possible so you can unpack and organize your room the way you want it before friends begin to arrive and activities start up. You’ll feel great to have all of your boxes emptied out and room clean to start your semester off fresh. I can’t tell you how many times I procrastinated on unpacking everything at the start, got busy with school, and never came back to unpacking the last boxes. Like seriously. The semester ended and there was that 1 untouched box still sitting there in the corner.
2. Read your syllabi.
Before your classes start! This is so often neglected by students even though it doesn’t take long to skim through the important parts (i.e. materials needed, whether laptops are allowed in class or not, upcoming assignments, etc.). Some classes have homework due the FIRST day of class or there may be supplies you didn’t know you needed. It will also help you to mentally prepare for what’s to come and what your semester as a whole will be like.
3. Meet someone new.
Say hello and get to know a new student. You remember what it’s like to be new. Give them helpful tips about the dorms and school (i.e. dorm room setup tips, how to get that 1 end shower to work, advice for a professors they have, etc.).
4. Reconnect with friends before classes get busy.
The beginning of the semester is a great time to catch up and hang out with old friends while there’s only minimal homework.
5. Prepare a calendar.
Another beneficial thing to do in the beginning before higher priorities take precedent. It’s super easy to open up your syllabus on your phone and start plugging in assignments in an app, such as Wunderlist (you can even set it up to sync to your computer!). I’m a visual processor, so I always love having a tangible planner, too. Splurge a little and get a pretty planner (like this one!) you absolutely love that will make you happy to look at (because soon the inner contents might make you want to cry). Since transferring assignments and due dates doesn’t take much brain power, I’d sometimes fill mine out while watching a movie or even during class (as long as you can pay attention at the same time). Or find the in-between moments to add in a few more at a time.
For a free homework calendar, check out this post: Planning for Success–Part 1: Calendars.
6. Set goals.
Without intentionally thinking about what you wish to accomplish this year and developing a step-by-step plan, your default will not reach you your goals. When setting goals, think about what you most wish to accomplish and write them down as a priority. Remember that you can’t do it all; make your goals realistic. Then, if you wish, you can make a secondary list. You might need to add to, subtract from, or adjust your goals later on depending on how much time you find yourself with once the semester picks up. However, don’t use that as an excuse to slack on a goal. Be logical, not lazy. Do everything you can to hold yourself to your most important goals. Perhaps even ask a friend to be your accountability partner.
7. Get ahead.
Once you’ve done all the above, start working ahead on your assignments. Don’t spend all of your beginning free time for fun and frivolity (you just had your whole break from school for that!). When it’s mid-terms and beyond, your future self will thank you for knocking out some of the assignments early on. While everyone else is running around and stressing out trying to get final projects done over Thanksgiving break, you’ll be chillin’ in your papasan, sippin’ a latté, watching the Gilmore Girls revival because your hard work allowed you the time to take this break.
Those are a few of the tips that really helped me through college and I know that if you follow them, you’ll have a much stronger start to your semester! Have a great one!
What other tips have helped you to set yourself up for a great school semester?
Great points to share with our kids (students)!