The Top Five Ways to Prepare for a New Semester

By Kait Spong

Let’s face it. It’s always difficult to get back into the swing of things after a summer spent on the beach, or at one of your favorite music festivals. Even if you spent most of the summer lazing around your folk’s place— or maybe you were extra ambitious and completed that summer internship—you still need to establish a routine in order to prosper intellectually and achieve your academic goals during the semester.

Here are five suggestions to give you a head start in tackling the new semester.

Schedule a Reasonable Course Load

In the U.S., full time is typically considered twelve credit hours for undergraduates. Some universities will even recommend fifteen credit hours in order to finish your coursework in a timely manner.

So while eighteen credit hours may seem somewhat manageable at the beginning of the semester, once your courses begin to gain full momentum, you may begin to regret your decision.

If you aren’t under any particular time or financial constraints, it’s always best to take your time with your coursework so you can get the most out of each class. Freeing up your schedule of extra classes will allow you more time to complete course assignments, study for tests, and prepare for papers and presentations. In terms of extracurricular activities, you can join a new club on campus where you can establish new friendships and connections.

If you do feel pressure to finish your degree on time, try out a mini session after the spring semester, or maybe even take a summer course or two. It will lessen the strain of your course load during the fall and spring semesters while allowing you to graduate on time.

Map Out Efficient Routes to Classes

Don’t be late to class on the first day! Before the semester begins, take a look at your current schedule as well as the respective buildings and classrooms where you will be taking your classes for the semester.

Some universities provide campus or building maps on their website while you may have to physically visit others to find your classrooms. Whether you trace out your route virtually on your smartphone or take a trip to campus, it’s best to know your way around on the first day, especially if you’re a freshman with no familiarity of the campus itself. If you’re lucky, your college will provide invaluable guides—current students, alumni, or faculty— to help you find your way around during the first week of classes.

Purchase Your Course Materials Ahead of Time

There’s nothing like arriving to class on the first day, and not only does the professor have the syllabus ready to roll, but your first reading assignment is due the next time you meet. Skip the expensive college bookstore and order used books online.

In order to save money and have your course materials on time, it’s best to request your syllabus or reading list before the semester begins. You can simply e-mail your professor for this information. Not only will this give you a chance to introduce (or re-introduce) yourself, but it can also make a great impression and emphasize your dedication to the course—before it even begins. You know, killing two…three?…birds with one stone. Now, that’s a lot of birds.

Organize Your Living Space

A little Feng Shui never hurt anyone! The start to the semester is the perfect time to create your dream study space. Having a clean and organized dorm or apartment will go a long way in reducing stress. Nothing is more discouraging than sitting down to complete your first assignment and looking at a desk or table cluttered with old papers and textbooks from the prior semester.

Organization doesn’t have to stop at your work space either. Clean out your closet and revitalize your wardrobe for a hot, new look or scrub down the refrigerator and load it with fresh fruits and veggies like you told yourself you’d do at the beginning of the year. There’s nothing better than a healthy study snack to keep you motivated and productive!

All in all, you can cleanse your mind, body, and spirit with a neat, tidy living space, which always makes for a very fruitful semester.

Be Self-Aware

As far as taking care of yourself, this listicle is only the beginning. Yes, we’ve made some great suggestions as to how you can stay energized, motivated, and productive throughout the semester. Preparing for your courses and revamping your study space is important, but above all, you need to listen to yourself.

Dedicating a great deal of time, energy, and resources to your studies can be exhausting. It’s very common for students to burn-out and lose the drive to make it through their course credits. To avoid this, schedule some “Me Time.” Whether it’s something as simple as taking a power nap or you decide to take a full-on spa day with a few friends, you must always prioritize self-care above all else.

Sweat out your stress at the school health facility (Pro Tip: it’s usually included in your tuition), start a meal planning or vitamin regimen, take a warm bubble bath, pet your friend’s cute puppy, or schedule a dinner with your closest family and friends. Self-care allows us to be at our best and most confident, allowing you to realistically reach your educational goals.

Getting back into a routine at the beginning of the semester can present its challenges, but if you dedicate yourself to your coursework and follow these tips, you’ll be tossing your graduation cap up in the air soon enough.

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