New semesters are like new beginnings. A fresh start to be 5 steps ahead of the game and make the semester count. I always strive to do better than my previous semester, but find myself struggling by the middle of the semester because each new semester is like a box of chocolates, "ya never know whatcha gon get!" Things start off so smooth at first, and you really start to feel like the semester is yours. All I need is my syllabus, my planner, and an organized method to make sure I stay on track.....
4 weeks later: I can't even find my syllabi, I've resorted to post-it notes that disappear on me instead of my planner, and as for my organized method? Ha!
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So this semester I've thought up a few new ideas that I hope will help make my semester less stressful, and if you can relate to my chaos, then maybe they'll help you too!
One thing I've realized I tend to do is sign up for presentations later on in the semester. While this may work for some, I've come to realize it can no longer work for me. For someone like me, I'd benefit so much more by getting it out of the way earlier on. Usually, professors let the students decide the date they would like to present, and I've always given myself a date way later in the semester, forgetting how hectic things get with final exams and papers. By taking care of assigned presentations first, it works in my favor to alleviate the future stress I know I'm going to face with other school work. The work load in the beginning of the semester is way lighter than the work load towards the end...at least that's how it's always been in my case. Also, the expectation bar is set so much lower for beginner presentations, so the longer you wait, you have a higher standard to uphold, and personally, the end of the semester gets too crazy for me to invest so much time and effort into a ten minute speech. So if you're finding that this sounds like you, give it a try and see how it goes.
Another great habit to have is reaching out to your professors more often. I always see my classmates taking the initiative to email or meet with professors whether they really need to or not, and I've seen it gives them more confidence in getting their work done because they've gotten great feedback. What better feedback than from the one who assigned the work? I've always been too proud to the point where I'd want to do everything on my own, even if I did need the help. And it's crazy because that's what your professors are there to do! To HELP. So if you're like me, it's time we let them do their job and allow ourselves to be given that helping hand. It'll only work in our favor in the end.
One thing that I've always struggled with is procrastination. I feel like some people think procrastination is one of those things you outgrow or that shouldn't be a thing in college, and whether I'm speaking for several others or just myself, I can assure you it's not the case. Often times it's the work load from one class that leads to the lack of productivity for another class. That's why it's helpful to keep an agenda and allot a specific set of time for a class per day. For example, if you know one assignment is due way before another, start the one that is due first sooner, and give it the most time, but still work on the other one for at least an hour each day. That way, once you hand in the first assignment for one class, you'll have the other one halfway started. This, of course, is so much easier said than done, but it used to work for me in high school all the time and I know it was all thanks to my agenda-- back when it was provided by the school and you didn't have to buy it, but that's besides the point. So try to remain strict on using an agenda and refrain from the flimsy, blown-by-the-wind post-its as much as possible.
Lastly, the thing I've struggled with probably more than procrastination is arriving to class on time. I'll have you know I am the farthest thing from a morning person. No amount of sleep, coffee, or morning exercise has changed that. I've tried, and I've simply come to terms that it's just not who I am, but it is who I need to be, at least for the sake of my grades. So I made sure this goal would be met by enrolling in my first class which starts at 9:50am with a professor at my school that is widely known for being strict about students arriving on time. So if this is a big thing for you as well, maybe try doing the same. I'm not saying to enroll in classes with strict professors or force yourself into a class you may not enjoy for the sake of disciplining yourself, but we all have our own methods that work for us. It always comes down to doing what works for you. So with that being said, rest assured the fear of paying the consequences for lateness will be my number one motivator to ensure I am in class earlier than on time.
