Everything always seems more difficult after a vacation. The logic is simple: The longer the break, the harder it is to get back in the swing of things. After a three-week winter break, starting up that whole school thing again is something I’d personally rather keep on the back burner so I could continue to enjoy being in my hometown, eating my favorite meals and not setting my alarm. Let’s face it, probably any option in your kitchen fridge or pantry is preferable to what you usually grab from the dining hall or C-store.
Of course it’s always exciting to get back to campus and catch up with friends and roommates. With laughter from funny holiday stories and a great morale from all your life-changing, earth-shattering New Year’s resolutions, who’s worried about classes and homework? Bam, then the new semester hits. Any chance Target and Wal-Mart will take it back along with all the other holiday returns? Maybe I’ll add that to my wish list for next year.
Fortunately, most professors introduce the syllabus on the first day and give the traditional “this is what this class is all about” speech. If there’s one week of the semester where you’re going to have some free time, chances are that it’ll be these next few days. Use this extra time to start the semester off on the right foot.
Get organized. When the first tests do roll around, it’s much easier to study from chronological notes in a binder, for instance, than a pile of loose-leaf papers. Gear up with the supplies you need to keep all your assignments accounted for. Notebooks and folders are your friends.
Sleep. There’s no point in taking notes if you can’t even read them because you’re too tired in class to write something legible as you doze off. No excuses for all nighters yet — we just started. Try to establish a reasonable sleeping schedule while you can. Although college can throw some unpredictable situations your way more often than not, it never hurts to aim for a healthy bedtime. Yes, your parents aren’t here, and no, you’re not 6 years old. That doesn’t mean you can’t reward yourself with some time to recharge. It’s not hard to close your eyes 15, 30, 45 minutes earlier. Your body will thank you for it.
Schedule time to do all the things you want to while you have the time to do them. Go to the gym — being physically active with get your mind working too. Meet up with old friends — once the semester really kicks in, it’s tough to find even an hour or two that’s free in both schedules. Even start making time for homework. It’s nearly impossible to get ahead in classes when you start off being behind. If you have your books, go ahead and flip through the first chapter or two so you know what to expect before you even walk into class.
It also helps to do a test run. Find all your classrooms beforehand. Notice that the G before the number means ground level and that WI means Withers and not Witherspoon, Winston or Williams. Scope out your classrooms and think about the seat you want, so you won’t have to play musical chairs on the first day. Figure out where you’ll be most comfortable because, chances are, you’ll learn best there.
There are plenty of ways to prepare for the semester before it takes off. Do yourself a favor and take advantage of those opportunities to make this semester your best one yet. Because before you know it, you’ll be back on break this spring, perusing through the kitchen fridge again, wondering how you got so sleepy and why all your notes are a mess. Start this semester the way you want to finish it: prepared.
