Six Steps For Second Semester Success

By Lev Novak

Alliteration, son. It’s an old writers trick.

So, you’re back to school and it’s your second Semester. The first semester was fun but you have your whole future stretching out in front of you. What kind of successes await you? Well, here are six tips.

1. Cut Mistakes

Remember being late to buying your textbooks and then scrambling to find them online and having to borrow them from the guy in the frat who smells like steak-sauce? Yeah. Don’t do that again.

The good news about the past is that it happened, and you can learn and adjust to it. Cut your mistakes out in advance of your second semester.

2. Don’t Get Content

Similarly, don’t get content with the successes you reached in your first semester. Especially if you’re a Freshman, don’t just rely on the friends you made in the beginning of the year. Sure, you like this party or this restaurant, and while a routine can be comfortable, it’s equally important to stay exploring. Keep things new and fresh for the second half of the school year.

3. Plan Ahead…Even More

Don’t just plan ahead for the next few weeks. Set up your spring break. Set up next year’s housing, ideally through uCribs.com and just think of how much better the semester is going to be if the future looks bright even after that.

When you plan ahead, you put yourself in a position to succeed. Be nice to future-you. They’re still you.

It’s winter now, but summer is coming. Get your internship or trip or job down.

4. Re-Resolve

Remember those New Year’s Resolutions?

It’s only been two weeks, but those are some long, long weeks. If you don’t pick up your resolutions now, then they are as good as gone. I mean, be real with me: are you going to re-dedicate yourself to something in February? Has anybody in the history of the world begun a productive endeavor in the end of winter?

You’re far more likely to end up in sweatpants and eating sandwiches. So, if for some reason, that sounds less like a well-deserved birthright and more like a departure from your resolutions, then you better get going. Because if you don’t kick your semester off hard, you’re not going to be doing much of anything in the “resolute” department.

5. Figure Your Classes Out

No, not what you’re taking: figure out the vibe. Who’s in them? People you can study with? What’s the syllabus say? Can you expect one big final that will line up with three other big finals? Be prepared. Is it more like an optional essay about the meaning of hugs? Take a breather.

Figure out your classes now, and you’ll be able to figure out the fun stuff after.

6. Get Your Playlists Made

Do all of the above to a playlist. Because why not, right?

Everything sounds better with some Kanye in it.

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