It’s that time of year again where we all have to remember that school is, indeed, a real thing. Back-to-school commercials reign supreme on TV, stores are pulling out all their school supplies and putting them on sale and extra-long bedding is suddenly everywhere.
And with this comes the onset of early-morning classes, demanding extracurriculars, jobs and homework that take over our lives for nine months out of the year.
I’ve never had a problem with school itself in general; I love to learn, and I think buying new school supplies is super fun (don’t worry, I’m very aware that I’m a huge nerd). The thing that does set me back, however, is the transition from my summer schedule (or lack thereof) to my school schedule.
I’m not a fan of falling behind in school because I’m too tired or unmotivated during the first few weeks of classes, but, over the years, I’ve learned a few small ways to make this part of my life much simpler, and they might make your next few weeks (almost) effortless.
Gradually Set Your Alarm Earlier
Shockingly enough, there is an easier method of waking yourself up other than setting twenty separate alarms, all five minutes apart from each other. Slowly waking up thirty minutes earlier every day for a week or two before school starts will help you feel well-rested in the morning.
This might also mean going to sleep a little bit earlier, too, or at least making your body believe you’re about to go to sleep. You can do that by setting a bedtime routine and sticking to it.
Attempting to get your full eight hours in every night is a great idea, too. Being fully present during syllabus week will not only make a good impression on your professors, but will ultimately help you out in the long run.
Create a Schedule
Even if it’s just working out on certain days or showering at the same time every morning, following a routine again will make it less of a problem while you’re adjusting once classes begin.
Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester in a planner can also aid you in getting in the mood for school. Not only that, but it will force you to memorize your schedule as you fill it out.
Get Organized
Maybe this is just me, but after I buy all my school supplies, I like to start putting everything in order. I write class names on my notebooks and folders, I sharpen my pencils, and I color code all of the supplies.
If getting this into organization isn’t for you, you can try using your phone calendar to have the first few weeks laid out for you.
Don’t Over-Involve Yourself
While it may be tempting to join a lot of new organizations on campus with the new school year, it’s good to remember that you are only one person. Joining new clubs and groups is a great idea, but forcing yourself to do more than is humanly possible will only lead to stress, stress, and more stress. Running from class to a meeting to work will only make your days more hectic than they need to be.
Don’t Procrastinate
Procrastination is the bane of every student’s existence. It’s too easy to get caught up in your newsfeed while your homework is sitting on your desk. I’m guilty of it; you’re guilty of it; everyone is guilty of it. It’s just a matter of staying motivated and being lazy when you’ve really earned it. Incentivize yourself—say, ‘If I finish this, I can do this.’ It’s good to do this throughout the year, too.