Every college student knows that dreadful feeling. The feeling of impending doom as your teacher hands you a syllabus filled with rapidly approaching deadlines and way more work than you are ready to handle. Each class adds more and more work onto the ever-growing pile of papers, projects, speeches, performances, and homework that you will endure over the next four months. How do you conquer the syllabus and get a head start on this semester before it gives you the swift kick you know is coming?
1. Read Your Syllabus:
I know it sounds stupid. I know every teacher you have ever had has told you this, but read it! It is a road map to exactly what you can expect over the next four months. It can be your best friend or your worst enemy depending on if you actually read the thing or not.
2. Get a Planner:
Remember those tacky agendas we were all issued as elementary school kids? Well, get a big girl planner and start using it. Refer back to number one and record all of those dates down ASAP. This can help you stave off any conflicts you might have. You might even realize that you have three midterm exams on the same day during the first week of the semester instead of the week before. Have fun with your planner! Colorful markers, stickers, and a cute design can make being organized not suck quite so much.
3. Be a List Maker:
Some people are list makers by nature and some people would rather shovel their own eye out with a spoon rather than put anything down on paper. Either is perfectly alright, but when it comes to staying on top of school (and life) lists can do wonders! You might even feel a tiny twinge of satisfaction as you cross a crappy task off of your list. I know I do.
4. Get a Jump on Your Homework:
When you start a class already behind, catching up can seem daunting. Don't wait until the day before your homework is due to suddenly feel studious and tackle three classes' worth of homework in an afternoon. Work on your homework when there is nothing good on Netflix or when it's raining and crappy outside.
5. Don't Feel Like Everything Is Due Today:
You have an entire semester to muddle through these assignments. Breathe and relax. Have that extra drink with your friends and procrastinate a healthy amount. The perfect student does not exist. We all forget deadlines, run out of ink, have pets eat charger cords, and sleep for 15 hours inevitably missing an entire day once in a while. Don't sweat the small stuff. Just keep swimming.
I hope these tips help you to conquer the January slump and defeat the semester! When all else fails, watch "Ellen" and cry.
