After having such a long Winter Break (four weeks!) it might be slightly (or very) difficult to get back into the groove of things. If you’re anything like me, and your four weeks of break were spent hibernating in your room (à la blanket-burrito mode) watching Netflix with your fur-child curled up on your lap, then getting back into the productive mindset for the start of the semester will definitely be a struggle. Hopefully these tips will help you (and me) get ready for a new year!
1. Track your life
With the semester just around the corner, you more than likely have already registered for classes. If you can access your class schedule before the semester starts then It’s a good idea to write it out in a calendar or grid format. This will help you visualize what your days and weeks will look like, and will reduce any pre-semester anxiety. (For instance, I tend to freak out if I don't know what I'm doing at any point throughout the week). If you are involved in any extracurricular activities or internships, it's a good idea to add these to your calendar as well, in order to keep track of all of your activities.
2. Invest in a planner
Aside from keeping track of your class schedule, having a planner filled out with all of your scheduled appointments and meetings is also great for staying organized. Even though it might seem overwhelming (in all honesty, I almost cried at seeing how many meetings and appointments I have during the first week of the semester alone), once you know your responsibilities it can help you get re-accustomed to your busy lifestyle.
3. Get creative!
I'm obsessed with all types of office supplies, so naturally at the start of every semester I like to gear up for classes by taking a trip to the nearest office supply store and purchasing a ridiculous amount of colorful markers and pens. Using different-colored pens to take notes makes learning more enjoyable for me, and makes it a lot easier to actually use my notes to study. I also love to make my notes (and planner) look like a work of art, and the prospect of using my new office supplies makes me eager for the start of the semester.
4. Refresh your memory
Before every semester I like to look back at some of the material I learned in my previous classes, particularly those classes that are directly related to my major. This allows me to begin identifying important pieces of information that I need moving forward, so by the time syllabus week comes around I am ready to learn new material.
5. Take lots of pictures of your pets
If you live miles away from home (or if you're like me and are so involved around campus that you never make it home before the sun sets), then your time with your pets is limited considerably. While you generally cannot physically take your lovable fur babies to all of your classes, keeping their pictures in your phone and/or laptop will more than likely bring a smile to your face AT ALL TIMES.
And if all else fails, then spend your last few days of sweet, sweet freedom continuing to binge-watch your favorite shows on Netflix or catching up on all of the sleep you won't be getting once the semester starts.
