You had a bad semester; everyone does at some point. With the difficult of college courses, extracurricular activities, and general life stressors, you are bound to have some semesters be better than others. However, one bad grade will not ruin your GPA forever; you just need to work harder and take steps to address your own limitations, no matter how big or small they are. These four pieces of advice can help.
Learn to prioritize your time.
Stretching yourself too thin is the quickest way to burn yourself out. In order to prevent this from happening, create a calendar at the start of each week. Write down the events that hold the most importance first; whether those are classes, shifts at work, or other mandatory commitments. Once that is complete, record optional events, such as organizational meetings, that you would like to attend. However, don't forget to take breaks during your busy schedule. If you are struggling to balance your time effectively, try the Pomodoro Technique.
Professors are people too; talk to them.
Have you ever had a professor that you were too intimidated to talk to? There's a solution for that: visit their office hours regularly. They will be able to get a better idea of who you are as a student, as well as on a personal level. Additionally, they may provide extra assistance or make exceptions if you can prove that you care about the course they are teaching. Overall, good communication is the key to success.
Wake up earlier.
You will be surprised how much you can accomplish in the morning. Try to wake up a couple hours before your first commitment of the day. For example, I attend my first class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. I always set my alarm for 9 a.m. at the absolute latest. Take the morning to review your agenda and try to accomplish some of your tasks for that particular day!
Don't be afraid to say "no."
Don't worry, your friends won't hate you if you say "no" to hanging out one night. This also closely relates to learning how to prioritize your time. While completing your education at college, your academics should be your number one priority. If you know that you have a large exam or project coming up, make a conscious effort to prepare for it.
As a third-year college student, I understand that life can get in the way of your studies. However, there are many small, and big, ways to have a meaningful and productive semester.
