For many college students, winter break has come to an end and it is time to head back to school. The month off of school was pure bliss compared to the hell that is finals week. There was no homework to complete, no alarms set, and no dining hall food. For me, my second semester started last week Tuesday so I've already had a week of classes. It was hard to get back into the swing of things after not having any responsibilities for a month. Here are some of my tips to help you start the semester off right.
1.) Get a planner
This one may seem obvious but trust me, a planner is one of the most helpful things you can ever buy for college. Mine is from Vera Bradley and it has a big calendar for the entire month plus places to plan out the week. It has been my life saver since day one of college. I can copy down all of my assignments and social events that I have going on throughout the month. Another tip is to buy colorful pens and color code your classes. My favorites are the marker pens from Paper Mate.
2.) Copy the syllabus into your planner
In most college classes, the first day you will receive the syllabus that has assignments and due dates for the entire semester. I'm in four classes this semester and I copied every single assignment from each syllabus into my planner. This helps keep me organized and prepared for class. I just have to look at the date and see what assignments I have due before the next class. It makes staying on top of work very easy.
3.) Take breaks while studying
It can be hard to get back to school and suddenly have all of this homework and studying that needs to be done. It can be a tedious task that most students dread. My tip is to take short breaks while studying. It will help keep your mind fresh and not feel overloaded with information.
4.) Organize your notes
Personally I love color coding my notes. My binder and notebook are the same color and stored together on the same shelf. I also love tab dividers to separate notes, handouts, worksheets, and schedules. It will make things so much easier to find when studying.
5.) Grab things you need the night before
Another obvious tip, but it has saved me when I'm running late for class. The night before, I take everything that I'll need for class the next day and put it in my backpack. I also fill up my water bottle and charge my phone. It may seem silly but it's definitely worth the extra minutes of sleep I get in the morning.
I hope these tips help you start off your second semester in a good way. It'll take a little bit of time to adjust, but once you're there, it's almost as if you never left campus at all! Have a great second semester everybody!
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