It's that dreaded time of year again, a new semester, and while we can quote Hunger Games and say, "May the odds be ever in your favor," here are some real tips to get you through this new semester and, hopefully, pass all your classes:
1. Be Prepared
There is nothing more annoying then walking into class and not having even the most basic thing like a pencil. Make sure you have everything you need for the class including books, writing utensils, paper, computer, computer cord, pants (and just clothes in general) and that fancy new Fitbit you got for Christmas. Not only do you want to look good, but you also want to be able to take notes for that 150 fill-in-the-blank question test your teacher has just warned you about. This includes getting enough sleep; if you don't sleep enough you may fall asleep in class
2. Communication
It's always good to keep in touch with your professor should you have any questions, concerns about the class, your grade or something you didn't understand. The teacher is there to help you should anything arise and they're willing to set aside and explain it to you if you just ask.
3. Study!
This is a no-brainer -- if you don't study you're not going to pass that 150 fill in the blank question test when there are 300 words in the chapter. No one is that good. Take the time to sit down, go over your notes, rewrite them if you have to or form a study group so that you can get help learning the information you need to know.
4. Discouragement
Everyone has a bad day, a horrible test grade, or a paper that you just bombed. It's going to happen both in your education portion of your life and out in the rest of the world. The trick is not to get discouraged. All you do is pick yourself back up and learn from the mistake you made. Next time you'll get it!
5. Procrastinating
Don't be a procrastinator! Those papers and tests will sneak up on you if you don't take the time to do them ahead of time. Yes, the new Assassins Creed game requires your attention, but the faster you get that British Literature paper done the sooner you can go back to killing people on moving trains.
6. Get Ahead
If you get ahead of the game early, you'll have more time to do what you want during the week, like the new Assassins Creed game. Try doing all your homework that is due the coming week on Sunday, that way you don't have to worry about anything that week unless the teacher springs something else on you.
7. Sleep
This is crucial for anything in life, without enough sleep, our brain doesn't fire on all synapses. As a result you'll fall asleep in class, you'll yell out pickles instead of the correct answer, and you'll miss crucial information that is said in class. Also, it may save you some embarrassment because teachers nowadays have been known to pull pranks on their students if they sleep through their class.
8. Me Time
Yes, school is important, and yes you need to study for that 150 fill in the blank question test, but you also need some time to unwind and not worry about anything. Take at least a half hour a day to just relax, take a nice warm bubble bath, play a game, run around in your superhero costume, just something to unwind and get your mind off the things that are stressing you this semester.
9. Alone Time
This can happen either when you're studying, having your me time, or even just sleeping. Make sure you have some time to yourself and you can collect your thoughts in a calm, quiet, stress-free environment. It makes no sense to study in the middle of a rave or a party when everyone is talking. Too many distractions.
10. Be Yourself
It makes no sense to be someone else ever. Your friends love you the way you are and you feel like yourself when you act as you normally act. Don't change for anyone and learn from the mistakes you make. People will love you more if you don't pretend to be someone you're not.
11. Have Fun
It makes no sense to go and get an education if you don't have fun, do something stupid, make mistakes and enjoy yourself. Then it would be called prison or hell. Make this semester one you're going to remember and enjoy your time at school. You only have one life, make the most of it.
Make sure you enjoy your semester, stay on top of your assignments, have some alone time, and make sure that you be yourself above all things. And as they say in the Hunger Games, "May the odds be ever in your favor."
