1. Get your books and supplies and get them early
We all know books are expensive, and none of us really have the hundreds of dollars needed just sitting in our accounts, especially after spending too much money all summer on beach trips and Chick-Fil-A lunches.
But, starting the semester with all the books and supplies you need will help you begin with a clear mind and stay organized throughout the semester. Also, making sure you get the books mean you can start your assignments right away instead of pushing them off for weeks. So, suck it up and shell out the cash for that book none of us really want to buy.
2. Don’t put off the easy assignments
Try to get the early and easy assignments off your plate as quickly as possible. It might be tempting to push them off to another day, but before you know it, it is the end of the semester… and we all know how crazy those last few weeks are.
3. Set up a daily schedule… and stick to it
If you know what you have to do and when you have to do it each and every day, the likeliness of you actually getting done everything you have to in a day is way higher than if you just wing it. Use color and fun designs to make your days seem more exciting, even if your Tuesday does begin at 8am.
4. Plan out your entire semester
Big deadlines can sneak up on you… and quick. If you take all those syllabi your professors give you and write down big test days and project due dates on a large calendar, you will have your entire semester at your fingertips. That way you can better spread out all your work so you are not rushing the night before to finish that paper you swore you had more time to complete.
5. Remember that you are a human being and you have human needs
Even though a lot of school and your life is based in work and responsibility, the best student makes time for some R&R and fun. Take some time to watch a movie or binge half a season of your favorite TV show. Take a nap. Read a book. Go to lunch with your friends. Visit home. Go to a party. And, please, make some memories. You do not want to look back onto your college career and only remember the back of your desk. (But, of course, that is super important too!) And, remember to Treat. Your. Self. Make sure to buy a fancy Starbucks drink at least once a week, and eat that greasy lunch you have been craving. Most of the time, these are the small victories in your week.