With October slowly approaching in college, we start to develop habits and tricks to keep us going, or not rather. Have you overslept and been late to class? Can't seem to keep your eyes open under piles of homework? Juggling work and school? Or even just stressed out? Well I have a guide that will hopefully give you 10 essential tips to keep in mind while attending that 8am class.
1. Sleeping.
Ah sleep, our best friend. While it is good to get a decent amount of sleep, you don't want to oversleep for class. Try and squeeze a nap in one or two times during the day. Whether it is a cat nap or one hour, anything helps you get through the rest of your day.
2. Coffee.
What's that aroma? There's nothing like a fresh cup of coffee to get you going in the morning. Whether it is your fresh Dunkin pick me up or just a cup from your pot at home, coffee is your best friend. Not only does it keep you alert, but it gives you just the boost you need to get to class or knock out some homework.
3. Studying.
You may think you are going to get a perfect score on your exam or maybe you are struggling to concentrate to study for your Precalculus exam. This is where studying comes into place. You can find an area on campus whether it is the library or student lounge, try to go to a quiet area. If that doesn't work, try creating a small study group to try and hatch things out.
4. Assignments/Work overload.
Who doesn't love having a Math test to study for, paper due at midnight, and a speech to write? While college may be overloading you with assignments, using your time wisely is what I stress the most. This brings us to time management.
5. Time Management.
Professor: "You're late, once again!"
Student: "Bro, it's been like five minutes."
Time is the most difficult thing to keep track of. As humans, time moves pretty fast and before you know it the day is almost over. In order to keep yourself sane and others, you want to be able to manage time. Try switching your routine around or giving yourself more time in the morning to get ready. This may take some getting used to at first. But hey, everything takes practice.
6. Communication.
Communication is important with not only your friends, but your teachers. Sick? Need an extension on an assignment? Stuck on a problem? Many people avoid communication due to fear. However, if you need help shoot your professor an email or ask to speak with them after class. A little bit of communicating goes a long way.
7. Balance.
Balancing is much like time management. You can obtain it through shifting things around in your routine or getting back into the swing of things. Balance just takes some getting used to.
8. Work.
Many college students work and go to school. Having a job is another major responsibility along with attending college. Talking to your boss to work out a schedule that best suits you is essential for the school year. If that doesn't work, try finding a job that suits your schedule the best.
9. Extracurricular Activities.
Playing a sport? Maybe you're on the debate team, or even the Math club. Doing an extracurricular activity helps shift your focus off of the stress of school for awhile. It's a chance for you to socialize and be with your friends. A moment to take a breath.
10. Family & Friends.
With all that said, when it comes to family and friends, their always going to be there for you at the end of the day. College can get pretty stressful and it's always nice to have someone who listens.
