Fall semester is upon us, some of us are ready to go and then the rest of us still haven't gotten started, and with only 3-4 weeks left before school starts its the rush to get everything ready, and this can be frustrating, exciting and scary at the same time, but there are ways that we can get started before all the craziness that is fall semester starts.
1. Contact your roommates
Alexis Brown
If you are living with roommates this year it's a great idea to contact them in a group chat or on social media chat to make sure who's bringing what, such as cleaning supplies, a microwave, and room decor and storage. everyone should be contributing something, one person should not have all the responsibility. If these are new roommates get to know them before moving in so it's not awkward.
2. Buy your books early
Pixabay
After you are registered get your book list, and find the cheapest rout to go when buying textbooks, because we all know that textbooks are expensive. Amazon and half.com are great sites to buy or rent you books, and having all your books ready to go before school starts will take some of the pressure off of you.
3. Buy New Clothes
freestocks.org
Going back to school is also a great excuse to go buy new clothes, new clothes new you. you don't have to go crazy and spend a lot of money, go buy a few things to update your current wardrobe just to give you a new fresh look.
4. Get Organized
Robert Bye
Getting organized is a great way to get ready for school, Go through what you are taking to school and if you are living on campus, so only take what you need and have storage that wont take up much room, Get hangers, under the bed storage, stationary dividers and even a magazine rack. Dorms are not that big so having storage will help keep your room organized and make the room feel bigger.
5. Mark your calenders
Estee Janssens
If you are going to any college games, events parties, homecoming, sorority rushes ect. Filling out your calendar will help you get amped for the year a head. And using a calendar that is on your wall, desk or bullet journal will help you see it everyday, because people don't really check their calendar on their phone daily, seeing it will remind you of all the events coming up.
6. Get Some Sleep
Gregory Pappas
Getting back on schedule, once you know your class schedule, this will be a great time to start getting back on your sleep schedule so your body is used to waking up a that certain time, doing this 2-3 weeks before class starts will help getting into a routing.
7. Prepare a Budget
Sharon McCutcheon
For a lot of college students having some kind of money is always nice, for going to club dues and parking permits, after subtracting that you can figure in how much you will have for food and other fun stuff for the month, plus putting money back in your savings, so your not spending all your money. Have a plan, give yourself $15 for coffee a month, that can be hard for some of us who like going to "Starbucks", But investing in a single cup coffee maker can help with that. So once you have your budget written out for the month try not to spend past that, so you have money left over.
8. Set realistic Goals
Isaac Smith
Set goals for yourself, to go with the new-you-new-semester theme, make sure that these are realistic goals, whether it be to get into better shape, eat better, focus more on your studies, get a job, just be smart about it, if your not the greatest in a math or science class excepting an A in the class maybe not the best goal. Even Create a step to make your resume perfect, work on crafting an awesome cover letter and to polish your interview skills. At the start of a new semester, anything is possible.
9. Relax
Anthony Tran
School can be stressful, so take time to take care of yourself, whether that be going to a movie by yourself or out to eat, taking yourself on date can be a great way to get out of your head and relax for a bit. take a walk, journal or draw just do something that has nothing to do with school, students get burnt out so quickly that even 20-30 minutes of relaxing me time can help our mental health.
10. Have a Routine
Matt Ragland
Having a day time and night time routing can help, if that is washing your face, doing your nails, reading, journaling, cleaning your studying space. Having this routing will help, because you are doing this everyday, and will help you sleep better at night because you give yourself a bed time that fits your schedule and now you wont be so tired during class. And have this routing when you are calling home, having a set day you are talking to your parents, partners, ect. This will help with getting homesick.
There are different things we can do to help prepare ourselves for a new semester, whether it is buying textbooks or getting your financial aid in order, Preparing for a new semester is always a good thing to do.
