Well, here we are again. As we approach the start of September, most of us college students are reflecting back on our first week or so of the school year. Whether you’re a freshman learning the ropes of college life or a senior just trying to make it through the day without overdosing on caffeine (guilty), the beginning of school can be tricky. A new school year means new classes, new people and a whole lot of new anxieties about what the next nine months will bring. As someone who is currently adjusting to a new year of college life for the fourth time, I’m here to share with you some tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way that will hopefully help you start your school year off strong!
- Get organized ASAP
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If there’s one thing I regret not doing my first year of college, it’s getting organized right off the bat. Whether you write everything in a planner or shove your entire life into a Google calendar, making sure you’re organized is a must for a less stressful start to the semester.
Pro tip: Write your assignments/important due dates in your planner for the first week of school so you can manage your time accordingly!
- Settle into a Routine
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Adjusting to a new schedule is one of the hardest parts of a new semester. Set aside some time to figure out a routine that works best for you and stick to it! Knowing what to expect for the days that lie ahead is a huge stress reliever and can make planning for assignments/work a lot easier!
- Eat Breakfast
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I’m the first to admit that remembering to eat breakfast is not a talent of mine. However, I’ve found that eating something every morning, even if it’s something small, gives me the energy to get through those 8 AM lectures (or at least halfway through). So, grab a banana or granola bar on your way out the door and go KILL IT in those classes!
- Take Things One Day at a Time
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Easier said than done, right? If you have anything in common with me, you can get really overwhelmed at the mere sight of your schedule. With classes, extracurricular activities and jobs, not to mention piles of homework due yesterday, it’s easy to feel like you don’t have control over everything that’s going on in your own life. Finding time to slow down and take the days as they come is extremely important, and it can help alleviate some of those new-school-year anxieties.
- Make Time for Yourself
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Treating yourself doesn’t have to mean blowing a ton of money on Amazon because shopping is your coping mechanism. Simply carving out time in your day to relax is crucial to your mental health, whether it be having a cup of coffee or watching some Netflix by yourself. So, whatever it is that makes you happy and removes some of the stress from your life, go out there and do it! Nothing is more important than your own sanity.