Hey friends! Can you believe summer is almost over already? A few weeks ago I caught myself saying “I can’t wait for fall” four words I never thought I’d ever say since I’ve been living here in the US, but now I’m not quite ready for summer to end.
By now, a lot of us have already started school or are heading back in a few weeks, which means it’s time to say hello to stress and very long nights. Summer is out, and school is in, and the goal is to stay focused on how to be successful in school, there’s no reason school should have us this stressed. The way you start the semester off will set the tone for the next couple of months, so it’s good to have a plan to figure out how to have a successful semester.

START YOUR DAY EARLY

I know many of you are probably thinking it’s hard to wake up early, but take it from me; the girl who in the past would sleep until the afternoon. I now start my day at 5 am, and I’ve discovered that I tend to get a lot of things done when I start my day early. Now I’m not telling you to start your day at five because everyone is not cut out for that but find a time that works for you. You can use this opportunity to get some assignments done, read the chapter, or power-point before class. You can get some personal business done, that way you’ll have time after class to focus on your school to-do list.

FIND YOUR CLASSES- WALK AROUND THE CAMPUS

I specifically included this tip because of an experience I had on my first day of class one semester. In my mind, I thought I knew where every building was on campus, and I honestly assumed all my types were in the same building. I got to my very first class of the semester 5 minutes late; to you, that may seem ordinary, but for me who takes being on time seriously, it was very late. If I took the time to walk around campus and see where my classes were going to be; I would not have had this issue. So take the time to get familiar with the different buildings on campus so that you’ll know where your classes will be.

BE ORGANIZED

Get into the habit of using your planners. Be sure to set up your planner at least for the first two weeks of the semester. I started setting up my planner roughly two weeks before class started. Be sure to have your notebook, binder, pens, pencils, and other cute stationery items that will help you stay on top of your to-do lists.

READ THE SYLLABUS

Your Syllabus is like the bible of your class, and it is the one thing that will help you achieve good grades throughout the semester. Your Syllabus has in the course objectives, class readings, the due date for assignments, quizzes, and tests; anything you can think of, is probably in the Syllabus. There should be no reason for you to be missing assignments, or telling your professor you didn’t know about a quiz or assignment. READ YOUR SYLLABUS!

SET YOUR GOALS FOR THE SEMESTER

If you’re like me, I go into every semester with the mindset to do exceptionally well. Anything can happen, but I believe when you set your standards high, it leaves room for growth if you happen to fall short. A goal doesn’t have to be to ace the class; it can be as simple as turning in an assignment on time each week. Just set personal goals that will help you to succeed.

SHOW UP, BE PREPARED AND DO THE WORK!

You can’t expect to reap results if you aren’t putting in the work. You get out exactly what you put in, always remember that. Stay committed and do the work.

I came up with these tips because my first day of class was a mess. I could not find my class; I was not as organized as I would have loved to be. However, I started waking up early and realized I was more productive. I hope these tips helped you guys in some way and I hope you all are excited for a new start and ready to tackle this semester head on!
RELAX:  DO SOMETHING YOU LOVE 

Amid all this madness, it is imperative to set aside time to rest and for the things you love. It cannot be all work and no play. The key is to make the time in school enjoyable, although it will be challenging, try to find some joy.
Whether that’s hanging out with friends, ordering a pizza and having a movie night, going to the gym, or just staying in bed one day after class watching Netflix, don’t forget to take time for yourself. College is an amazing experience, but your mental health is essential, don’t be too caught up in getting good grades, although that’s not a bad thing. Just find the time to step away from the books and relax.

I wish you a successful semester! What are some of the ways you prepare for a new semester?

xoxo, Tanya