New Semester, New Routine
Gretchen Maurer
| 2 min read
Fall is just around the corner, and with it, a new semester for college students.
If you’re leaving home for the first time or returning to your school, there are a few habits you should establish to have a successful semester.
- Get organized. Staying organized throughout the semester will help you succeed. Buy a planner to write down your class schedule, deadlines and important dates. Invest in separate notebooks and folders for each class, which will keep everything together, making it much easier when it comes time to study. Find a system that works for you, but make sure it helps keep you on track.
- Make a plan. The first week of the new semester is typically slower paced, which gives you the opportunity to plan out the next few months. During this week, collect all of your syllabi and really read them over, paying attention to what is expected of you and what the major projects are for the semester. Most professors include a calendar of assignments and exams – go through and mark down all these dates in your planner and when you need to start preparing for each one.
- Manage your time. Learning how to successfully manage your time will get you far not only in your academic career, but in your eventual transition to internships and jobs. Don’t procrastinate on major assignments – giving yourself enough time to plan out a big paper and work on it over the course of two weeks is much less stressful than trying to write a 10-page paper the night before it’s due. Plus, extra time means you can put in the extra effort and look over your work before handing it in, resulting in better grades.
- Establish a morning routine. Give yourself enough time in the morning to get everything done without being rushed. As tempting as it is to hit the snooze button a few times in the morning, try not to. Getting up on time gives you the chance to make a healthy breakfast, have a cup of coffee, and look over what you have planned out for the day.
College life can be hectic at times, but incorporating these habits into your routine will help you have a smoother semester. What keeps you organized and on the right track at school? Let us know in the comments.
Photo Credit: David Mulder
