New semester, new you, right? We’ve all heard this cliché statement, whether it was meant in a serious manner or as a joke. After a month-long break and disappointing GPAs, students decide to change their ways. Less partying, more studying. Less procrastination, more reading. However, will we really stick to these “resolutions”? If you’re serious about changing your work habits, do it with these few tips.
Tip #1: Don’t take “syllabus week” too far
You’ve probably heard the first week of the semester referred to as “syllabus week”: a week in which students party every night after only going over syllabuses in all their classes. We’ve all seen the tweet or Instagram, “Getting silly on sylly week!!!” If you want to start your semester off on the right foot, you shouldn’t get too “silly” during this week. Whether you have work to do or not, it’s not good to get into the habit of partying in the middle of the week- especially at the beginning of the semester. Buckle down and get ahead on your reading; you’ll be thankful later.
Tip #2: Stay on top of your reading
At the beginning of the semester, it is easy to say that you’ll “actually read the book this time”. However, easier said than done. After a week of reading every chapter and additional reference, you’re probably rethinking your goal. In the long run, it is best to stay on track and keep your mind to it. You don’t need to read every chapter word-for-word, but read the important material, especially if you’re having trouble with it. This way, when it comes time for exams, you’ll be more prepared.
Tip #3: Form good relationships with your professors
The professor often makes or breaks your grade and overall experience in the class; show up, participate, and be respectful. Professors are there to help you; introduce yourself after class so they put a name to a face, stop by their office hours, or simply smile and interact with them in order to build a relationship. If you need help or are having a problem later on in the semester, this relationship will greatly be to your advantage.
Tip #4: Get involved
If you weren’t as involved as you’d like to be last semester, change that this semester by getting involved off the bat. The first few weeks are filled with activity fairs and club meetings, so check out whatever sounds interesting to you and stick with the best ones. You never know whom you’ll meet, what you’ll discover, or how an experience could change your life. Being involved on campus is one of the best things you can do, besides keeping your grades up.
Hopefully these tips help you out, and you find your spring semester off to a great start! Stay on top of your schoolwork, and there will always be time for fun.
Create a strong foundation for yourself, and you’ll be springing into an awesome semester in no time!