I may speak for many when I say that my biggest weakness is procrastination and being unprepared for the inevitable. However, I have a strange obsession with fresh school supplies. In combat of procrastination, I feed my addiction. It’s as simple as that. Here are seven ways for you to prepare for (and crush) this upcoming semester.
1. The Planner Project
Planners are a great way to not only organize your school life, but your life in general. Doctor's appointments, gym time, work schedule and school can fit into one, year-long planner. Here’s your challenge: to stay on top of due dates, get three different colored pens: red, green and black. Make a section at the bottom of each day. Use the red pen when you have an item due in one to three days. Use the green pen when you have an item due in four to six days. Use the black pen when you have an item due seven to 10 days. This way you are able to see what is coming in advance, no excuses. Hold yourself accountable.
2. Make A Schedule
This is one of those times I was greatly thankful for the pre-made templates that the new Mac Numbers has (check out the resume builder as well). Open up Numbers and start with the Schedule template (or use some links I attached at the bottom if you don’t have a Mac system). You're able to fix the time increments of the day at the top left hand corner. From there plan your day or your week, up to the smallest detail. It seems a bit “over-the-top,” but it pays well to have a routine.
3. Color Coordination
Here’s where I start to seem a little crazy. I am a visual learner and need some form of excitement, so I buy matching notebook/highlighter/pen/sticky-notes combination.
4. Use Your Syllabus
Could it be more obvious? Most syllabi are filled with the same mumbo jumbo about plagiarism and the ethics codes of the schools, but there are four sections that are way different, and way important. 1. The grading rubric, 2. weekly breakdowns and reading, 3. formatting and citation style requirements and 4. staff contact information. Read through it ahead of time so you know what to expect in your class.
5. Study Soup
This was one of those "pop-up everywhere" advertisements that I gave into. Turns out, it works to your advantage and it's totally ethical. Through study soup, you will write notes and make study guides for your classes for people to purchase! The only thing to remember is to make sure the notes are all your own (remember number four? "mumbo jumbo about plagiarism and the ethics codes"). Not only are you making money, but you are essentially studying for your classes. Win-Win. Make sure to check it out before your semester starts to have a greater understanding of how the program works.
6. Two Notebook Rule
Buy two notebooks for each class. In the first notebook, write book notes and questions you have on that chapter. In the second, write lecture notes. It’s the same idea as writing out your notes and typing them up on your computer for extra study. However, typing can be a mindless process. To read and write, then listen and write, you are getting three different forms of communication in. This leads me to my next tip…
7. Books Before Lecture
This is more of a during school tip, and I can’t take credit for this one. I have incredibly studious friends — which by the way, you can’t live vicariously through and still get good grades — and some of the best advice was from them. Use your syllabus and map out your readings for the week and what you will be going over in lecture. Read the chapters and take notes before your lecture and develop questions. Not only does this help you learn the material, it gives you a chance to develop questions and build a strong relationship with your professor (also important -- think letter of recommendation!).
I find it best to prepare these ways at least a week before your semester starts. If your teachers are insightful humans, they will send you the syllabus a week before class — or so we hope! I hope you have a great start to your semester, and stay tuned for tips throughout the school year!
