All students hate the dreaded S word... school. Why? Well, school means homework, late nights studying, early mornings for 8 a.m. classes, stressing over a grade that can make or break getting into your number one college. Though, it doesn't have to be that way. In the list below, I'll explain why and maybe this year can truly be a new year and new you!

Rate My Professor

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Always... always... ALWAYS! This is the first on the list because I feel like some students don't even know this site exists. It exists solely for those horrible teachers that will make the start of the year a terrible one for you. This site also protects your sanity and regret by helping you find the best of the best, and the worse of the worse. Research your teachers before you decide to take their class because it might make or break your year. I promise you won't regret it.

Style

Style and what you wear isn't the most important point on this list, but it can be semi-important when what you wear changes the way you feel about yourself. Some people can wear sweatpants and sweatshirts, but still feel epic and confident. Other have to dress up a bit and wear a little makeup, and nothing is wrong with either. Wear what you feel good in because it might make all the difference, but don't let anyone make that decision for you.

Organization

People say its psychologically healthy to have a clean and organized home, but I personally believe the same goes for most other things in life. When it comes to school, it's always a good idea to have a planner, highlighters, binders, folders, and whatever else you need to decrease clutter. This way you won't forget what homework you have because of your planner, and if you need a highlighter and pencil you won't ever be unprepared. It makes you feel better, and you won't have anxiety over something as small as just not remembering to write down your homework. Also, at home, you can lay out your outfit the night before, or make sure everything is packed in your book-bag so you don't leave anything behind or take half an hour to decide what to wear.

Music

Maybe it's just me, but when I listen to something good on the way to school or in between classes, I feel pretty good. If I'm mad, I listen to loud, bass vibrating music. If I'm really tired, I'll listen to calming music to help wake me up a little bit more, and when I want more energy I'll listen to good dance music. It all depends on my energy that day and it really helps start off the morning or relax while heading to my next class.

Relationships and connections

On the first day of class, everyone is in the same situation. You probably don't know very many people, and it's the same with your other classmates. If you introduce yourself and make a connection on the first day, it's likely you'll keep that connection through the semester. It's hard during a class when you don't feel like you belong or you feel really awkward or alone. With someone you form a friendship with, you'll always have someone to pair up with, and if you forget what your assignment is or you need help on something, you'll have someone to message.

Join clubs

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Clubs at the beginning of the semester are always one of the best ways to make friends and feel connection to your school. It helps with making college not only fun, but you'll feel involved and more likely to show up because you do have a say in that school. It's not very fun if all you do it go for class and head home right away. Even if you don't want to spend more time there, try to make it enjoyable. Make it fun.

Always take notes

Sometimes a teacher will have a PowerPoint online and sometimes they just speak and write on the board. Everyone knows by now that not everything will be in the power point, and the teacher won't give you a copy of what they wrote out on the board. When you think you'll remember what they said, you'll realize how wrong you are when it comes to the next test or quiz. When in doubt, write it down.

Smart decisions

I don't want to sound preachy or far older than my 21-year-old self, but smart decisions will make or break your year. If you go out every night and drink or party, you'll obviously not do as well as you could if you spent that time studying and working on homework. Or, if you skip a bunch of classes just because you're tired or hungover, why did you sign up and spend your own money on something you'd simply fail? It's not worth the expenses it takes to go to college.

Get help

Teachers are always willing to email you back or take an appointment if you need help or have questions. It's why they post their office hours and give you their number. Another option is tutoring. At my college, I know that it's free, and if you have questions you should take advantage of the services they graciously give out. Even if some do cost money, you'll save a lot more considering out expensive classes and books really are.

Get ready the night before

When you lay your outfit out the night before, take a shower, put everything in your back pack, you feel very organized and unstressed because you don't have to rush around. You'll also have more time to sleep in and relax before school starts. As someone who has taken 8 a.m. classes and chose to do so this year again, I can say that there will be a lot of sleeping through the 15 or so alarms and rushing around trying to get ready. You'll most likely make it to class on time if all you have to do is slip on your prepared outfit and grab your bag on the way out.

Give yourself enough time in the morning

This pretty much fits with the point above, but down set your alarm 30 minutes before class starts. Don't leave everything until the next morning because you're too tired to do it at night. You never know if there's traffic in the morning because of an accident, or everyone is driving slow because of rain or snow. Don't make it so you're forced to rush, because that's never a good way to start the day.

I know there are a lot more things that can start your school year off on a good note, but try to follow these and you'll have a successful semester. The first few weeks are always the most stressful (minus exams) so you need to be mindful of what you do and how you do it. Congrats on making it to your next year of school, and enjoy!