It's that time of year again for all you college students, or maybe you are just starting college, either way, I figured everyone could use some positive encouragement to help you make this fall semester one of the best you have had yet! If you didn't already know, I just graduated college back in May, so I am basically an expert in this field (totally kidding, kind of). Anyways, if you are a person like me, then you probably want to seem like you have your life together a little bit so you are prepared to take on the semester. Here are 5 tips I put together to help you tackle the new college year like a boss!

1. Stay organized

This is probably the most important tip out of all of them, in my opinion. It is SO important to stay organized while you are in college, especially if you are juggling 5 classes, a part-time job, extracurricular activities, and whatever else you may have going on. You barely have time to breathe sometimes with all the craziness that happens. I would suggest investing in a planner that you feel comfortable using, or getting a really big wall desk calendar. I still utilize a calendar and have it hanging on my wall in my bedroom. This will help you keep track of important due dates, appointments, etc. and you can customize it any way you want.

2. Develop a daily routine

Having a go-to routine every day can really eliminate extra stress, so you can effectively plan your day and not worry about anything else that isn't as important. I suggest waking up at the same time every morning, even if you don't necessarily have classes that day, your body will adjust and you will be way more productive that way.

3. Write down your notes

As much fun as it is to use your laptop in class, I personally believe that writing down your notes in a handy-dandy notebook is 10 times more beneficial than typing them. When you write down your notes and highlight them, you are more likely to remember the important material because you are using your brain to write down the information and are not just mindlessly typing it on your laptop. Also, you can write the notes in your own words so when you go back to study them, it is easier for you to understand instead of copying what your professor says verbatim.

4. Take time for yourself

When the semester begins, you will probably begin to feel overwhelmed with studying for your classes, working, and maintaining a social life all at the same time. So, it is crucial to have some alone time where you can relax, take care of yourself, and have fun. Go for a walk, or read something you actually like instead of a boring textbook. Maybe even try something new and make it a new hobby, but whatever it is, just always squeeze in time alone every week so you don't drive yourself insane.

5. Set realistic goals

It can be difficult to stay motivated when the semester starts again, especially if you have already been in college for a couple years now. Everyone gets stressed out and overwhelmed in college, but if you think about it, in the long run, all your hard work will pay off in the end. Don't make it a habit of skipping your classes all the time because you are only setting yourself up for failure and it really doesn't make you cool. So, I suggest creating realistic goals for yourself in order to hold yourself accountable whenever you feel like you are falling off the wagon.