With classes right around the corner, college students everywhere are reminded that summer is coming to an end with packing and preparing for a new term of learning. There are events, work, and even people, being thrown at you from every direction the first week of every year and it never seems to get less overwhelming. After being in college for a few years now, I finally feel like I have a pretty solid routine down as far as curing my anxious tendencies about heading back to school. It is an overwhelming time to say the least, but there are certainly ways that you can stay calm, stay on top of schedules, and, most importantly, stay organized. I used to focus on details like making my room pretty rather than clean and socializing with friends at parties rather than in the library. There are ways to get the best of both worlds when beginning a new semester and they can keep you from becoming affected by that back-to-school stress. Here are 7 tips on maintaining a happy, healthy and stress free first week:
1. Get everything down in your planner...early!
I try to buy my planner early so I can get any and all information I have been given about classes down. Highlight, use washi tape, make doodles where you feel that it is important to do so. Make it yours or else you won't find any peace in knowing that you are organized. It doesn't have to be a drag, even though it takes work. Plus, Lilly Pulitzer doesn't make those planners just to sit on shelves in the store.
2. Plan out your outfits for the first week of classes
I know this can sound silly, but trust me it works. I used to show up to class in my sweatpants and I would feel sluggish and bored. Class is not a place to be wearing pajamas. You want to make a good impression and getting into the habit of planning your outfits for the week ensures this. And it can be fun to sit back on a Sunday evening and decide how many ways you can style those new flats or Hunters, especially in the fall!
3. Don't be antisocial
This is a big one that I feel needs to be addressed. When I returned back to school last year, I was so focused on everything else that I would escape back to my room after class and not be seen until the next day. Make the time to get things done on campus, whether it is having dinner in the dining hall at least a few times a week or getting out to get toilet paper at the school store. Sometimes it feels good just to get out and say hi to people. You never know how you will make someone's day just by doing so!
4. Do make use of the library right away
This was a huge mistake I have been making since starting college. Make use of the library right away so it becomes a habit. People are always complaining that it is too far from their dorm or that they just don't have the time. Make the time, because you will have so many resources other than just Google at your fingertips. It will be worth your while in the longrun.
5. Prepare for busy weekends
Parties will always be happening. And I encourage you to go to them and have a good time. However, plan that the first few weeks will be too busy to even think about them. Even if it turns out that they aren't filled with homework, you will want that time to rejuvinate after beginning classes or work again. No one wants that back-to-school plague.
6. Make time to have dinner, study, and catch up with friends
In regards to being antisocial, don't make yourself invisible. Surround yourself with the right people. You will know who feels good to hang around and who doesn't. No one wants to feel stressed out about chilling with negative people. Find friends who bring out the best in you and make use of the time that you have together. College is a time to explore and having a decent social life is almost a class in itself.
7. Log out of Netflix...at least for the first week
Distraction is the worst (take it from someone with diagnosed ADHD) so try to rid yourself of it, at least during the first week. After that, do as you please. But make sure you are organized before watching that makeup tutorial on YouTube or a latest episode. They will always be there. Your education may not be.
Beginning a new term is such a great time of the year, but it can be so stressful. I believe that as long as you put in the effort to remain organized, social (but not too social) and smart about your choices, that overwhelming feeling will lessen instantly.
