Syllabus week is over and now the real work starts. Sometimes it’s hard to put oneself back into school mode especially if all you’ve been doing this summer is working full-time and binge-watching Netflix shows. But school doesn’t wait for you to catch up. School decides to give you a wakeup call with an exam coming up in two weeks and an assignment due next Monday. So instead of goofing around and waiting after your first failed midterm to get your s**t together, do it right now. Here are some tips and tricks on how to be two steps ahead of school:
1. Read the Syllabus! It’s all in there. Make sure to note down every single test, essay, lab, and, project due date you have in your agenda, calendar, or phone. That way you have a visual on how many days till it’s due and how many days you should put in to finish it.
2. Actually be prepared for class. Whether that is having your readings done, or a pre-lab. When a professor is lecturing you, it’s better to actually know what he/she is talking about rather than hearing it for the first time. That way if you’re confused about something in the chapter, you can ask the prof after the appropriate lecture, not 2 weeks later.
3. Eliminate distractions. Whether it’s the friend that just loves to talk during class or your pesky cellphone. They both can be turned off for an hour or so . Tune into what the prof is saying and make it your mission to actually learn something new rather than having a pointless conversation with a friend that you could have outside of class.
4. Find a study place. This is essential. Sometimes it can be hard because there’s pros and cons to every study area at Waterloo. DC has nice cubicles but is usually packed and the librarians are very high-strung. STC is usually filled with Starbucks lovers and there’s hardly any space. While SLC is perfect in the sense that there’s places to grab food, it’s usually loud with chatter and music. But there are so many other places to study at Waterloo; E3, M3, St. Jerome’s, and many more. So find a place that’s perfect for you and your needs, whether that be large workspaces, food, background noise, or no noise at all.
5. Have fun with it. You’re allowed to take breaks once in a while. If you want to take a nap, I suggest taking one for 1.5 hours so you get through all sleep cycles. There are Timmies everywhere on campus if you need a caffeine fix. Study with your friends to divide the work, quiz one another, or simply keep each other company. Reward yourself with a glass of wine (Jacob’s Creek Rosé Moscato <3) or by going out with your friends after a long day of studying.
You’re here to learn and grow, so small steps towards managing your time and making things more convenient for yourself will go a long way. Put in the effort right now before midterm season comes along and completely takes over your life.