It's a new semester, a blank slate, a fresh start. There is nothing in the way of you and your success, and it is time to rewrite your wrongs and learn from the mistakes of last semester.
Here are some simple but important tips to setting yourself up for success.
Sit up front
This will potentially be the biggest decision you make all semester. It's tough to change without making someone mad, so chose wisely. Sitting up front will keep you focused and more in tune with your professor.
Keep your notes and folders organized
First off, make sure you have these items. It's way too easy too keep a chaotic and disorganized notebook in the shorthand. Long term, however, its important to be able to view your notes in an organized fashion when it comes to study time. Also being able to efficiently find handouts is crucial. This can shape your whole work environment.
Go to Class!! And don't be late.
I know, it sucks, and you're exhausted, and your professor doesn't have a strict attendance policy, but just go to class. You're paying a lot of money for it- and you'll be paying even more the day of the test if you missed an important class. Also, get to class on time. You can assure yourself time to get organized before a lecture and set yourself up, stress-free, to begin your class.
Read the damn book.
Believe it or not, I can't stand reading, especially a book I have zero interest in reading. But even if you can barely understand the words you're reading, it's better to have some back information when discussing in class, rather than scrambling through endless pages of Sparknotes the day of the exam.
Keep a clean room
I find for me, the cleaner my room, the less stressed I am. This is easier said than done in a dorm room, but you'll find when your workspace isn't hectic, your work won't be as hectic, and it's easier to think straight.
Study. Please just study, really, study.
It seems like a given, but a semester can get pretty packed and pretty intense- pretty fast. It's a sure thing that you'll do better on an exam if you study, so just set some time aside for it! Even if you think you've mastered the subject.
Keep a planner!
When the semester's in full swing, there's no way you're keeping everything in your mind organized and you're going to forget important things. Get into the habit of keeping tasks in a planner and writing things down!
This semester is all on you! You've got a fresh beginning to set yourself up for success, so run with it! Create the semester you want to have!
