Transitioning back to college life can be difficult. Especially when you have spent the last few months soaking up some rays with no obligations. Here are some tips on how to help yourself get back into the swing of classes, and life at Kent State!
1. Use your planner
Over the summer, it’s easy to go with the flow and not write down daily plans or activities. When you’re back at school there are more obligations that should be written down. Using a planner to write down your classwork at the beginning of the semester will allow you to plan ahead. Looking at full weeks and seeing when all the work that is due will allow you to see which weeks are busier than others. Taking a note of these high-stress weeks can help you better prepare for them in prior weeks!
2. Use the first week of school to get a head start
The first week of school is typically the simplest. There is limited homework and class might even get out early. This is a prime time to write every syllabus in your planner. If you want to get fancy, you can even color coordinate or use highlighters. During this week, make sure you have all the necessary school supplies. Target and Walmart begin to have sales on summer school supplies, so you might even save a few dollars! If you start the semester out organized, you are more likely to keep things that way. Being organized and jumping into your class work will put you ahead!
3. Schedule in YOU time
This is a tip that most people overlook. When you come back to campus, it is easy to become involved in everything going on. Between work, school and extra activities it can be difficult to squeeze in some you time. An easy way to do this is reading a book before bed or writing in a journal. This will allow for reflection on the day and will relax your mind before you go to bed. Another option is to wake up 30 minutes before you need to. I know college students are always trying to squeeze in every minute of sleep before class, but if you wake up just 30 minutes early you can drink a cup of coffee while watching a show on Netflix or get ahead on a reading for a class. Waking up earlier will make you feel less rushed and more relaxed when you wake up on school days.
4. Find a good podcast to listen to on your drive to school
This has been one of my favorite ways to pass time in the car. Podcasts can be motivational and can get you pumped for the day ahead. There are so many options on Spotify that I have started listening to. I have been listening to “Gals on the Go” recently and it motivates me to go out into the world as a girl boss! Some other suggestions on Spotify include “Girls Gotta Eat,” “The Friend Zone,” “Stuff You Should Know Podcast,” and “Unladylike.” This is also a great way to use your time wisely by bettering yourself on a drive you need to make. Plus, podcasts offer new ideas and constant inspiration!
5. Attend Activities on campus
This is a simple tip, but one that I feel that people don’t take seriously. At the beginning of the school year, there are constantly events happening on campus. This is an amazing opportunity to meet new people, join new clubs and make connections! Joining a group on campus will help you find more people that you vibe with. Once you find that group, coming back to school year after year becomes even easier. Knowing that I am involved at Kent makes me feel more connected to campus life.