After finals come to an end and the overwhelming feeling of constant stress subsides, the excitement for winter break kicks in. With the holidays and a whole month off from classes, it really is the most wonderful time of the year. However, when looking to the future, it is evident that the spring semester is near. To ease the transition between the two semesters, I have created a list of five things to accomplish over the break. These tips are intended to get you prepared and organized for the start of the second half of the school year.
1. Clean out your inbox.
The long break is a perfect time to go through your email inbox and trash any emails you no longer need. You really will feel so refreshed after doing so.
2. Organize your Google drive.
Having a neat and organized Google Drive is the key to successful organization in college. To keep all of my college documents organized, I have a folder for each semester. Then, within each of these folders, I have a folder dedicated to each class that I took that semester. I then organize each class’s folder depending on the different documents that I have.
3. Skim your syllabi.
If you have access to a syllabus for a class next semester, it would be beneficial to read it over. Oftentimes, it will provide you with a list of materials and a list of the assignments to be completed over the course of the semester. By knowing this information before stepping into the class for the first time, you will feel so much more prepared and confident for the coursework.
4. Consider your daily Routine.
With a whole new schedule of different classes, your existing daily routine may have to adapt to better fit your spring schedule. I recommend that before moving back into your dorm, you have a rough idea of what your daily routine will be like. For instance, when will you eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner? When can you fit in going to the gym? Where will you study in between two classes?
5. Set your personal goals.
The spring semester is a perfect opportunity for a fresh start. For your own personal growth, look back on the fall semester and assess your strengths and weaknesses. Next, define your goals for this new semester. Finally, generate an optimistic mindset that is infectious. You can do it!