We’re back from Jan Plan with normal classes in full swing. But as much as we missed having everyone present on campus, it seems like we forgot how to do “real school”. How do you handle four classes, clubs, exercising, and any other extracurricular activities? Where did all your free time go? Plus by now your new semester motivation has probably worn off, so here are some ways to keep up with your classes long-term.
1. Use Your Planner
My planner is my life – I write everything in it. I write down not only when assignments are due, but also when I’m going to do those assignments. I note when I plan to work out, go to events, have meetings, etc. Towards the end of last semester, I found myself using my planner less and less, and I realized it was because my planner was falling apart. There were coffee stains on it, pages were coming out, and the cover was almost off. If you’re going to buy a planner, invest in a nice one so you feel good when you use it. I would recommend Lilly Pulitzer, but you can find some good ones on Amazon too.
2. Write Down All Your Assignments
The first thing you should do when you get your syllabi is to write down all the assignments, readings, quizzes, and exams in your planner. That way you will never again be surprised by a test or quiz in class.
3. Always Carry Homework With You
This may make you have a heavier bag, but so what? It also enables you to do more homework in your downtime. Think about all the random gaps of time in your schedule in which you could be productive rather than staring at your phone. This saves you the time that it takes to walk back to your dorm to grab your readings and notebooks, and also spares you from the temptation of getting back to your room and taking a nap.
4. Find a Study Buddy
You should have someone in every class who you can call, text, or email, about questions. This is really useful in clarifying what something means, or if you miss class you can always plan to have them explain the content to you and show you their notes. Plus, it’s comforting to have someone else to cross-reference when you’re struggling with a concept or essay. This doesn’t mean, however, you should not ask your professor if you have serious questions. If your friend doesn’t seem to know or they give you an unsatisfactory answer, shoot your professor an email.
5. Befriend Upperclassmen
This especially means upperclassmen in your major or who have already taken one of the classes you’re taking. Give them candy, buy them Starbucks, smile, and then ask them for their notes: or at least their old textbooks. Have an honest conversation with them about how much of the reading or homework you really have to do. Ask how much you should be writing down, how hard are the tests are, or if you should submit a rough draft for the professor to pre-read.
6. Do Homework on Friday or Saturday
I know, I know, it’s the weekend. This is the time to party, sleep, and watch Netflix. But really, how much do you hate yourself each Sunday when you have to do five hundred different assignments because you pushed them off? Don’t do that to yourself! Take either Friday or Saturday as a rest day, and use the other day to get your life together – or at least get a head start on your homework. It will take great self-control and perseverance, but think of how much you’ll love yourself come Sunday.
7. Figure Out How to Study
You probably already know some tactics that help you study, but it’s never a bad time to get better. Study your notes, draw pictures. Use a computer – write in outline format, use arrows and abbreviations, record lectures (with your professor’s permission). Print out readings or read them on your computer, write essays by hand, listen to music – maybe even heavy metal – while reading, do work on the first or third floor of Miller, or in your room, or the Spa. Find your perfect study space, read out loud, write in the margins, underline, highlight, skim, read three times. These are just some ideas: get creative with your study habits.
8. Buy Awesome Pens and Highlighters
I trick myself into wanting to do homework by buying really fun, colorful highlighters and pens. I get excited to do readings now. Maybe I’m a nerd, but I’m getting way more done than I would have without these pens. Also, I’ve found that everyone has a certain type of ideal note-taking pen that automatically makes your notes look cleaner and easier to read. Find, buy, and be that pen or pencil. Maybe you take the best notes writing in crayon. Hey, no judgement. You do you, girl. And now you’re going to ace the midterm because your notes are gorgeous.