Three months never seems like long enough when it comes to summer breaks.
Those few warm months between semesters yield sunshine, road trips, s'mores and, most importantly, some free time without homework. Summer is a much-needed break for all college students, but, as always, time passes, even when you don’t want it to. Three blinks, and it’s time to start packing away your beach gear and pulling out the textbooks.
Every college student can empathize with that horrible, gut-wrenching reaction that comes about mid-August. The rude awakening begins, usually, with something like, What do you mean the full syllabus is posted already? I just signed up for that class a few weeks ago! Then the all-too-familiar calendar-checking that follows suit. Going back to school doesn’t have to be so hard. Sometimes, all you need to cushion your transition from beach bum to all-star student is a bit of preparation — before you get to campus.
1. Have one last summer hoorah.
Enjoy the last bit of summer. Take a load off. Go to the beach. It’s important to take advantage of your last days, weeks or hours of summertime.
2. Make the transition easier on yourself.
Order your books early. Start packing at least a week in advance so you're not scrambling to get everything crammed into the car come move-in day.
3. Get a head start in your classes.
I know it's something you really don't want to do during summer, but prepping for the work to come will lessen that awful feeling the first week of classes when you suddenly get a ton of assignments dumped on you. Flip through your textbooks and check your syllabus if you can. Introduce yourself to the material. Hello, books! Goodbye, limitless freedom.
4. Reconnect with your college friends.
Commiserate together, and feel united in your dread. You'd be surprised how much better you feel when you realize there are others experiencing the same seasonal struggle. (If you're a freshman, see if anyone from your high school is going to the same college as you are, and keep an eye out for them while on campus.) Having friends to go back to will lighten the blow of the piles of work coming your way in the fall semester.
5. Start planning awesome trips for next summer.
Don't lose sight of the awesome, carefree times ahead. During the summer, the world is your oyster, and come mid-May, anything is possible. Sweeten your next summer with an awesome trip; dreams of summer music festivals or bucket list-type sights will motivate you during the school year.
6. And always, always remember that these are some of the best years of your life.
From orientation to graduation, college gives you the opportunity to meet a diverse crowd of students, some of which may be your friends far beyond your college years. So, hug your roommates close and buckle in for another great year.
