- Buy a planner
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I know you’ve probably seen or heard this a lot, but buying a planner is a sure-fire way to get all your ducks in a row, especially if you struggle with organization and time management. A good way to use your planner, is using it to plan out assignments. Here is the catch though…. plan them at least 1 week in advance if your professor is one of those professors that has the assignments available ahead of time. That way you can knock them all out during the week, and enjoy your weekends with some debauchery, or down time. I do both. It’s called balance. (college girl, but a….on the weekend, or whatever Meg said) I’m a busy girl, and I’m constantly on the go, so my planner keeps me grounded.
- Go to office hours
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You have heard this time old advice, but it is true. Professors love when students go to office hours, because not a lot of students go. They’re in there just sitting bored out of their minds. They would love to see your smiling face, and you do not even have to go to get help. You could just be stopping in to get to know them a little better or spark up some intellectual conversation. Once they see how brilliant you are, they will like you. When it comes time for final grades, and you’re sitting at a B, but you want an A, they will look out for you, after you ask of course. Closed mouths don’t get fed.
- GO TO CLASS!
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I feel like this should be self-explanatory, but it is a crucial component to a successful semester. You are doing yourself a disservice if you are not attending class. Some professors assign in class work, or factor participation into your grade. How are you going to earn participation points if you aren’t in class? Participation points can do wonders for your grade, especially if you aren’t a good test taker. I understand mental health days but use them sporadically. You do not want to set yourself up for failure.
- Take care of yourself
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School is stressful, and it can be very draining with all the assignments, trying to maintain a healthy social life, and go to the gym. Trust me I know. That’s why I’m telling you to rest. Sleep in on that Saturday, skip that party, and turn that phone on do not disturb. Often, we forget to unplug ourselves from the world, and just wind down. Always have a self-care day to reset yourself. Mine are always on Sunday nights, because it’s right before the work week really begins. I do a face mask, hair mask, do some yoga, turn on a podcast, and just cleanse myself. You can’t perform the best if you don’t feel at your best
- Get adequate sleep
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Sleep is essential for your energy levels. When you don’t get adequate sleep, you may feel groggy, cranky, or even get headaches. Sleep is not for the weak, and sure you can sleep when you’re dead, but you are alive right now, and your body says you need sleep. It is recommended that you get 7-8 hours of sleep every night, and a way to ensure that happens almost all the time is going back to my next tip of time management. You will not need to pull constant all-nighters if you do not procrastinate. If you have an 8am or a 9am, you should be saying goodbye to twitter or whatever social media site by 9:30 pm and lights out by 10pm. Social media can wait. Your health cannot.
Let’s have a great Hot Nerd Semester, and make not only Megan, but ourselves proud. Do whatever you need to do to achieve your goals. Play hard, but don’t forget to work hard. Also, do not neglect yourself at all. Nothing comes before your mental health. Happy Fall Semester Y’all!