With August only a week away, those fall semester anxieties and nerves coming knocking back on our doors. Fall semester is often the most changing and challenging time as we all have to adjust back to work mode from a calming summer. To help college students entering the dreaded Fall Semester, I have compiled a list of tips and tricks to make the fall semester a lot more bearable.
1. Buy a planner.
I cannot stress this enough. With heavy work and school schedules, it can be hard to manage time. If you are not into planners, get yourself a to-do list journal. And if you are heavily against notebook planners altogether, take advantage of the reminder application on your phone. Set reminders on important assignments, exams, and events during the fall semester.
2. Take daily vitamins.
Fall fatigue is REAL. It is easy to feel tired with a new workload and sleeping schedule placed upon you during the fall semester. I would recommend investing in daily multivitamins that can keep you energized and healthy throughout the semester. I usually take One A Day Women's vitamins and a weekly/monthly Vitamin C pill (250mg) depending on how tired I may be feeling. Please consult your doctor before taking vitamins as all of our bodies are different.
3. Plan self-care days.
With the fall bringing new obligations, we often forget to take care of ourselves. It is important to care for our mental and physical health. This is why I recommend students to take one day out of the week or every other week where all school and work is pushed to the side. Use one day to pamper yourself with your favorite food, favorite movie, and favorite face masks.
4. Don't be afraid to seek help.
Fall semester often brings stress and can often make us feel overwhelmed and incapable. It is important to remind yourself that it is okay to feel these feelings of self-doubt and trouble. Being vulnerable and honest with pour abilities can inspire us to seek help when needed. Using university resources with counseling, on-campus communities, and organizations can help alleviate this feeling of worry that creeps up on many students.
5. Remember to call relatives and friends.
Homesickness is the number one problem students face during the fall semester. It is inevitable for us to miss our original homes and feel a sense of loss when leaving the comfort of our local family and friends. But, cell phones go a long way. To help with the pain of missing your home, daily phone calls and video calls are an effective way to remind yourself that you are not alone. If you do not have a direct family you can contact, most campuses provide support groups that are often linked by common interest and experiences.
As fall semester looms over us, please remember to be kind to yourself. It is okay to not always get the perfect grade, and it is definitely okay to take care of ourselves in the process.
