While I sit here watching the time go by, I decided to write out some of the hacks I have come up with for getting the best start for a school year. I can almost guarantee that you won't go crazy by the sight of a syllabus and/or homework if you read this. Key word: almost.

1. Buy a planner.

Buy one. Just do it. Trust me on this.

2. Buy a pen, or colorful pens. Maybe a highlighter?

Again, another necessary tool in the world of academia. Colorful pens are great for your eyes! The colors elaborate certain events in a month that you can quickly check with one glance.

3. Print out your academic calendar.

Academic calendars are great! You know when your breaks are, when the halfway point is (aka midterms) and when your finals week lands.

4. Write out when your breaks fall, the half way point of the semester and your finals week.

Who doesn't want to know when a day off is here? DON'T YOU WANT TO KNOW WHEN DOOMSDAY IS HERE. AKA FINALS WEEK!

5. Bring your planner and pens everywhere.

6. Maybe buy a wall or desk calendar?

Easiest way to take a look how far that monster of a test is.

7. For that one hard class: study for the first test two weeks in advance.

Unless you have had the professor before or are re-taking the class, study in advance. The best way to ace your test, in my experience, is to over-prepare. Cramming for a test does nothing for your brain. Science shows that you forget that material three days after your test.

8. Stay busy!

Join extra-curricular activities that you enjoy and will help you decompress.
***Not all nerds study 24/7. The people who are academically strongest also have busy schedules doing the things they love.

9. Visit your professors at least three times.

During the course of the semester, a student should visit their professor at least three times. It shows you care and are dedicated. Especially if the class is super easy or super hard, it's the easiest way to become a fan favorite.

10. Take Sundays off!

That's right! Do your homework Friday afternoon or Saturday afternoon! To have the ability to sleep in and not worry about a single thing for Mondays is one of the best stress relievers I have up my sleeve.

11. Create a mental weekly briefing for yourself.

Monday mornings or Sunday nights, take five minutes of your time to remind yourself what you have for this upcoming week. Start with tests, quizzes and homework then add in your intramural games or club meetings. Then finish with what time you have for friends.

12. Schedule friend time!

This sounds crazy because you're at college and you're with your friends all the time. But when the grind gets going, it can get crazy. Set anything beyond the hours of 8 p.m. strictly for major hang out sessions.

13. Create an environment that you want to go home to at the end of your day.

Your room/ apartment should be filled of things you love and cherish. Create a vibe that makes your friends never want to leave. Ask yourself when decorating your room: "Will I be sad when I debunk this room at the end of this year?" If not, then you have some work to do.

14. Remember the days are long, but the weeks are fast.

So cherish every freaking moment of these glorious collegiate years.