Although it feels like we just started the new year, the time for school has arrived. Whether you are a senior in college or a freshman in high school, it seems to be common to have an enormous feeling of dread leading up to the first day of classes. Part of me has always believed that a lot of the “dread” is actually fear. Fear of the unknown. Will my school work be hard this year? What if I don’t have any free time? Personally, I have so many emotions when school draws closer each day. I’m excited but also nervous. Many of my friends seem to feel the same way. I decided to ask some people I know to give their best advice on how to get back into a routine, and how they handle the stress of beginning a new year. These are the top three tips I learned from them:
- Plan
This was the first answer I received. One word, so simple, yet so powerful. Plan means set a schedule. Write down when your classes are and any help sessions or office hours available (if you’re a college student). Doing this seems to encourage you to attend all classes and supplemental sessions. You may find that the homework for that super difficult math class comes easier to you since you’ve been in class.
2. Take things one day at a time
This is my number one tip. I love to read the syllabus before a class (I’m a mega nerd) but sometimes it is detrimental to me. I tend to look at every single assignment due date and exam time right then and there. It overwhelms me to the point that I begin to stress, even though the class hasn’t started yet. Write down those important dates but don’t stare at the entire schedule all at once. Keep it in a location that you can easily refer to it when necessary and if it helps, cross out assignments as they are turned in. Maybe even take a glance at what the week has in store each Sunday, if you like to organize in that way. NEVER look at the entire semester at once.
3. Get ahead, but not too far
If you know you’re going to have a busy week ahead of you, take advantage of your weekends and vice versa. Have homework due on Thursday but it’s Monday and you don’t have anything to do? Do the homework! Your Thursday self will thank you. However, I don’t recommend completing assignments much further in advance. Sometimes it is better to wait just a little. The material might be easier to you the night before the assignment is due, not the week before. Depends on your preference. But if something is easy or won’t take a lot of time, get it out of the way early. You’ll be happy about it later.
Going back to school is a stressful time for students. New teachers, new material and new people are factors that add to the desire to not get out of bed on the first day of class. Just remember to focus on you and what you want to accomplish. Your goals are the most important thing, school is just a part of achieving those goals. Good luck and have a happy school year!