Let’s face it: the first week of school is rough. To make the transition from summer to school a little easier, we at Her Campus GCSU have some tips to make the new semester smooth sailing.
1. Set new goals or resolve to pursue old ones: We all know the feeling: suddenly it’s August and you didn’t accomplish any of those summer goals you set for yourself back in May. Goals like reading that giant stack of books you’ve had for forever or polishing up your resume. Though the summer is ending, this doesn’t mean you have to put these goals on the back burner. If there’s a hobby or TV show you’ve wanted to try, go ahead and do it! You’ll reduce stress and feel more accomplished in the end.
2. Make time for yourself: Investing in “you time” is key to a great semester. When you’re slammed with seemingly never-ending amounts of work, it’s crucial that you take a step back and BREATHE. While it seems logical to work for hours without stopping, this is a sure way to get burned out. Experiment with different time management techniques (like the Pomodoro Technique).
3. Buy fresh school supplies: It’s great to be thrifty, but if you’re still using that binder you’ve had for years and its functionality is belied by the fact that it’s ripped to shreds…it’s time for a fresh start. Honestly, there’s nothing better than a fresh package of pens. This is one of the best parts of going back to school! With a fresh arsenal of school supplies, you’ll feel more motivated and productive, and you’ll no longer have to scrounge up pencils right before a test.
4. Get a planner and USE IT: Planners are a college student’s best friend. Your weeks are so filled with classes, assignments, extracurricular activities, and meetings that it can be hard to keep track of it all. Buy a planner and write all your important dates in ahead of time, such as those printed on your syllabi. Having everything written down ahead of time will give you peace of mind.
5. Perfect the art of time management: With the start of each new semester, every Bobcat makes the sincere resolution to avoid procrastination. Unfortunately, this promise lasts for about 0.3 seconds and then Tumblr starts to look way more interesting than our schoolwork. Try productivity apps like SelfControl. They’ll help a lot with productivity, especially when it’s crunch time.
6. Purchase your books: The mere thought of buying all those books with their ridiculous price tags is always daunting. However, it’s pretty important that you go ahead and order them since you’ll probably have reading within the first week. Chegg and Amazon Prime are great places to order books for less.
7. Sleep is your friend: College students like to brag about the all-nighters they pull, but these are actually detrimental to your well-being. It’s super important that you get decent sleep each night so that you stay healthy and don’t fall out of your chair the next day. It’ll help you stay focused and alert for daily tasks.
8. Believe in yourself: Beyond all these tips, believing in your own abilities and success is more important. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you feel overwhelmed. No matter how stressed you feel this semester, you will make it through with flying colors.