Everyone I speak to at the beginning of the semester feels antsy. We’re all stressed out but we don’t know why. We feel like we should be studying more but the homework is still light and manageable––so what is really bugging us?
The beginning of a semester is just as stressful as the end, because everything’s novel. New classes, new professors, new teaching styles; different classmates, different buildings; higher demands, heavier books, more assignments––the list goes on. It’s overwhelming. But the most stressful of all is holding your breath––waiting, for it all to come pouring down.
It’s like the calm before the storm. You know the toughest is on its way but you can’t really prepare or anticipate what’s to come. You can only read so far ahead. What you must do, is wait. In suspense, you wait for the deadlines and the exams to turn the corner. You rush from class to class, to whatever other responsibility you have and then back home to stare at your books, not yet knowing exactly what you’re supposed to be getting out of them.
Part of the problem, I think, is we rush into the new semester at full-throttle and then we hit a wall. Academically, things are slow in the beginning––agonizingly slow. Similar to a roller coaster, we begin to climb to higher ground, steadily, heavily, sensitive to every click and lock on the way up. Then we reach the top and we stare down at the drop, heart pounding, not knowing when we’ll fall. But we know it’s coming, and that’s enough for our hair to stand on end.
There’s no beating this feeling. But, to prevent from going insane before the semester even starts, here are some tips I’ve accumulated over my college career.
1. Get Organized
Buy all your books at the beginning of the semester. This saves you the last minute stress and agony of late shipping and too-soon deadlines.
Also get a folder for all the handouts and printed documents. As soon as you get a new handout, put it in there. Believe me, there’s nothing more stressful than studying the night of an exam and spending 20 minutes hunting for that lost chunk of notes. Preparation is key, and even though you might not know what’s coming, at least you know you’ll be ready for it.
2. Meet your Professors
As in actually meet them, not showing up to class meeting them. Go to office hours. This might be the most horrifying, awkward thing to do (especially as a freshman) but step out of your head for a moment and just go. Introduce yourself, learn a little about them, and ask them about how to best prepare for class. They’ll know you, and remember you this way and are more likely to help you in the future. It’ll also put you at ease to ask questions. Building a relationship with professors will not only teach you a lot but it will provide you with invaluable references for any future applications.
3. Find a routine
Create a routine and stick with it. Pick out 2-3 exercise classes to go to per week, set aside time on the weekends to work out, go out with friends or for some other hobby. If you’re involved in student organizations, make sure you can make most if not all meetings or gatherings. Learn your routine from early on and treat those slots of time as sacred, not to be messed with. Come midterms and finals, you’ll be more likely to maintain them and not feel guilty for skipping.
4. Set goals
Setting personal and academic goals for yourself at the start of a semester will keep you motivated and focused to achieve them, even throughout all the busyness. Don’t over-reach and overwhelm yourself. Set an easy to reach goal first, so that you gain more confidence before undertaking a harder one. These goals could be anything from learning a type of dance, to getting an A, to getting published somewhere. Follow your passions.
5. Get a planner
A planner is a must. Non-negotiable. Write every deadline, every homework due, every shift at work, every meeting be it with professors, friends or your organization. Write it all down. Write daily to-do lists and plan ahead for deadlines so you have time to speak to professors and correct possible mistakes. Every thought, idea, plan that comes to you, write it down before you forget it. Do yourself a favor: buy a planner and carry it everywhere.
6. Set Downtime
This is another non-negotiable de-stressing habit you should learn: set aside time daily for downtime. It could be to take a nap, read a book of your choice, listen to music, or stare at the wall for all I care. Your brain is constantly working and you spend half the day in rushing which means you’re occupied 24/7. You need some downtime when you can clear your mind and think about nothing. Meditation is a great place to start, 5-10 minutes every night will make the world of a difference.
Hopefully these tips will get you started and keep you rejuvenated throughout the semester. Establish your routine and acknowledge that a stressful beginning of a semester will only burn you out. So, slow down, breathe and take your time to get used to all the novelties. When the rest is to come, it will come. Don’t worry about that now.