Whether you start this week, next week or last week, school is starting up again. It's a new year, a new semester! Who says new year's resolutions are just for January 1? Here are some new resolutions you can make to help you start off the new semester right.
1. Compare prices for textbooks
Textbooks are expensive! Try buying them used online, renting them, buying them from someone who took the class last semester and doesn't need it. Also, check with your professor and find out if you need the latest edition or if an older one will do. The newest edition usually isn't that different, but it can cost nearly ten times more.
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2. Plan your schedule
Use an online schedule maker (if you Google "schedule maker" you'll find plenty of different links). Put in all of your classes, any times you work, club meetings. Schedule in time to nap, time to watch TV, time to go to the gym, time to hang out with your friends, schedule as much as you want. You don't necessarily have to nap every time your schedule says so or go to the gym every time, but you should at least know you have the time. A good schedule is the best way to keep yourself organized, in my opinion.
3. Multi-task to get boring things done
This is a tip from my oldest sister (thanks, Lea- does this mean you'll share the article?). Going to the gym is boring. Necessary, but not really fun. Doing the readings for class can be boring (depending on the class). So, kill two boring, necessary birds with one stone. When you need to do readings and want to go to the gym, sit on a stationary bike and read. Whatever you have to do, just get it done.
4. Take study breaks
I'm a big proponent of study breaks. Studying for long periods of time gets boring and aren't helpful. Do it in small, manageable chunks. Break it up with dancing, with food, with music, with video games, with anything. But don't bore yourself by cramming for hours upon hours.
5. Go to class
Seriously. This is the biggest help. Even if you do the readings, lectures are going to give you different material and hearing your professor explain it is really helpful. Usually, they'll explain it in a different way than the readings. You'll get more information that you wouldn't get if you don't go to class.
6. Keep good notes
Everyone takes notes differently but find a way that works for you. Take messy notes in class, rewrite them later. Or type all your notes. Underline, highlight, bold, write in different colors. Do whatever you need to do to make your notes readable and helpful. When you look back over them to study for finals, you should be able to understand what they say.
7. Keep the syllabus
Especially if it's detailed. Most classes have a detailed syllabus that outlines assignments, class agendas, rubrics, and expectations. You can figure out your grade breakdown from your previous assignments. Keep it in the front of your binder for that class, in a separate pocket of the folder. Just keep it somewhere safe where you can look back at it later on in the semester.
8. Listen to your professors
This sounds a little self-explanatory and pretty obvious. But if a professor repeats the same information, it's probably really important or will show up on a test. So make sure you're writing down the things that they say (unless it's my bio professor's story about how his twelve-year-old son ran away that weekend- I didn't write that one down).
9. Procrastinate strategically
Let's be real, we're all procrastinating. It's unrealistic to say that you won't do it this semester- don't set yourself up for that kind of failure. Instead, procrastinate responsibly. Do things in order of priority: what's due first? What's most important? What's worth more in terms of your grade? If you're going to procrastinate (and trust me, you probably are) you might as well do it the right way.
10. Keep a to-do list
Keep it on a white board. Keep it on your phone. Keep it in a planner. Keep it on sticky notes next to your bed. Organize it based on priority, based on order. Cross things off when they're done and feel the satisfaction of finishing something. A to-do list helps you organize and prioritize (and keeps you from forgetting about that pesky project due tomorrow).
11. Sleep
There's a reason that sleep deprivation is considered a method of torture. Seriously, you need the sleep more than you need to watch that next episode or study just one more chapter. Take a quick power nap (here's how to make it worth it) or go to bed an hour early or sleep in an extra hour. Whatever you do, get the sleep you need to be a functioning human being and the semester will be so much better.
