For most of us collegiettes™, summer means tanning poolside in our swimsuits, regaining the sleep we lost during those hectic last weeks of finals, and, most importantly, taking a break from studying. After a couple of months of relaxation, it is no surprise that we find it difficult to adjust back to school life, where we have to balance academics and extracurriculars with our social lives. Here are some tips that will help you transition from summer mode into college mode:
- Start your homework by listening to music: Beginning your homework by listening to music will help you ease your way into studying and being productive. Justina Moloney, a sophomore history major here at UT, finds that music is a great motivator. “I always find that rediscovering your ‘groove’ of studying can be daunting at times, especially when it’s not your first year in college,” she says. “But, what I often do is make playlists of instrumental music to listen to while I read for class. It doesn’t always help me focus to my full potential, but it gets me in the right mood to get there.”
- Reorganize your sleep schedule: Having a balanced sleeping schedule will help you gain a more organized life and positive mentality. Allow time to eat breakfast in the morning to get energized before class and soon enough, you will feel more eager to take charge of your day.
- Make to-do lists: Organizing your assignments will prevent you from procrastinating or forgetting about major deadlines, while saving you from tons of stress! Alexandra Van Brummen, a biology/anthropology double major and member of the Dean’s Scholars honors program, finds that doing so helps her keep up with her academics – while also making time for socializing and having fun. “I make lists of everything I have to do to remind myself that the work is there,” she says. “Then I find times in my schedule that I can do them.”
- Join organizations: At such a large and diverse university like UT, there are countless clubs suited for every individual on campus.Joining an organization that corresponds with your interests willallow you to get back into the groove of managing your time and will serve as a great break from your academic life. Moloney, an enthusiastic Harry Potter fanatic, has found an organization that helps her meet people who share her interests, while also allowing her to do community service. “I’m part of the UT-Austin chapter of the Harry Potter Alliance, and we have weekly meetings,” she says. “Not only do I love this club for how it brings people together, as well as the awesome service projects it involves its members in, but it puts me back into the routine of school being in session again.”
- Have fun on the weekends: Planning fun outings on the weekends will allow you to gain a positive outlook on starting school again. Ashley Hemmati, a senior biology major, uses this tactic in her life. “I think it’s important to always reward yourself by having fun with your friends,” she says. “It’s a great way to motivate yourself to get work done, so by the end of the day you have managed time to relax and socialize.”
Even though the beginning of the school year may seem daunting after spending all summer being idle, but a positive mindset will always help you get excited for the college school year. By staying organized, you can easily enjoy all the fun UT has to offer – while successfully attaining your goals. So take a deep breath, relax and be proactive!