Gone are the relaxing days of watching television and sleeping in. A new semester means back to the grind and busy schedules — but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Here are eight tips college students need to survive this new semester.
1. Set a Schedule You Can Handle
You may have discovered that you prefer classes in the morning or that you like to sleep in. Or you might have found out that four classes are easier to handle than five — because it leaves you time to get your work done and stay involved in campus activities. Have your schedule reflect your ideal lifestyle.
It’s better to lighten your course load than become so stressed out trying to do everything that you don’t make the grade. The same goes for the number of extracurricular activities or clubs you want to do.
2. Get a Planner and Use It
Imagine having one place where you can look to see everything you have going on for the day, week, month and more — allowing you to manage your time effectively. Enter the planner.
With all the different layouts and options available, you can find one that keeps track of all your important assignments, meetings and activities. Then, you won’t be late and will have set aside time for everything you care about.
3. Buy Used Textbooks or Rent Them
With so many options for buying textbooks, you’ll want to shop around. Often, you can find used course books for cheaper than what the bookstore offers. You can even check out text rental websites and rent your books if you know you don’t want to keep them around.
When you go used, you might even find notes from previous textbook owners, cluing you into potential necessary information.
4. Pay Attention to the Syllabus
When you get the syllabus for your class, you might think it’s just a list of rules and policies you’ve heard before — but don’t underestimate it. It’s your guide to organizing your life during the term.
Sometimes, professors hide details in the syllabus that they don’t go over in class, such as due dates for assignments or instructions for important projects. Read over the syllabus when you get it and come with questions, so you aren’t scrambling to find what you need later.
5. Make Sure to Study
After coming back from break, it can be tough to transition into academic mode again. You might think it’ll be easy since perhaps you breezed through last semester — but each set of classes is unique. Studying and completing your schoolwork should be prioritized regardless of what else you have going on.
Even getting ahead on studying can pay off with less stress during exams and when working on assignments.
6. Join Clubs and Organizations
Getting involved in your school and community through clubs and organizations has been shown to enhance the college experience and provide opportunities for students to excel outside the classroom.
Your involvement in extracurricular activities also helps you become a more well-rounded person and looks great on your college resume. Plus, it can provide the opportunity to make connections and friendships.
7. Make Time for Friends
Speaking of friends, go out and make as many as you can. Having an active social life provides many benefits, including stress relief and potential lifelong connections.
Developing a good circle of friends can also help you study. Get together and form a study group, especially if you share the same major or classes. Holding study sessions together allows you to keep each other accountable and work through problems and questions better than if you were studying alone.
8. Plan With the Future in Mind
Before you know it, the semester will be winding down, and you’ll have to think about what’s coming next. Maybe you’re planning to live off campus or are intending to apply for internships. Each decision has steps you must complete — and it’s better to take care of them now.
Planning your next steps and thinking about the future today can make it easier on you tomorrow.
Enjoy the Ride
By following these eight tips, you won’t just survive the semester. You’ll thrive — and you might even find yourself enjoying it more than you thought.
Need A Massage? Learn How To Give One To Yourself And Your Loved Ones
Receiving a massage, whether it’s given by someone else or self-administered, can help loosen your muscles and establish a better connection not only with your body but also with the people you love.
