It’s the first day of classes and we envision ourselves reaching top grades and never sleeping through a lecture. However, it seems that after a few weeks in, we find ourselves overwhelmed, stressed, and wondering when the next break is. It doesn’t have to be like this. The key is to have a strong, solid start. It is so much easier to just stay consistently on top of things than to try to scramble to catch up later on. The most effective ways to start out (and hopefully finish) this next semester strong are:
1. Schedule your classes with times that you can manage:
You might think that since you woke up at eight every day in high school, you can totally manage that 9 a.m. But, trust me, it will be a struggle. You also will be feeling very stressed out when you have three classes scheduled back to back to back and no time for lunch. Take into account your lectures, sections/recitations, and labs, and plan them so you have space in your schedule throughout the day. Having this extra time can let you breathe and recuperate so you can go to your next class prepared and not forgetting any assignments.
2. Take a peek at the syllabus:
Course syllabi usually give a very specific outline on what is to be expected in the course. Moreover, most will tell you exactly what you will be doing in class each day. You can plan for quizzes, assignments, and papers ahead of time and stay on top of each day!
3. Get organized as soon as possible:
Nothing is worse than being halfway through the semester and having a folder crammed with papers that seem to have no order to them. Get a binder and dividers as soon as possible to stay organized throughout!
4. Take the first test seriously:
And the first few assignments in general. In most cases, they are the easiest, or at least cover the least material. You can usually do better on them if you put in a little extra effort in the beginning, giving you higher grades to start and less stress in the end.
5. Reach out to people:
Both students and staff. Attend office hours sometimes (and not just the day before an exam). The professors and teaching fellows are there to help you, and in most cases are very eager to. Getting to know them early can both make it easier to communicate things that come up later on down the line (illnesses, extenuating circumstances) and help you understand what is going on in class better. Also, sit in new places during lecture and don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation or suggest a study group. Having this kind of support can help you stay afloat when things get tougher down the line.
Good luck to everyone on their second semester of the school year. By learning from your mistakes and staying diligent you can make this semester -- and year -- yours.
