By Megan Jones, Advertising Manager
Starting out the spring semester can sometimes be a drag. After a month of eating out of your parent’s fridge, watching almost every series on Netflix, and stocking up on Christmas goodies, going back to class doesn’t seem like an ideal way to spend our time. Readjusting to reality can be somewhat painless if you follow a few simple organization tips!
A new semester can bring about new expenses. A semester’s worth of text books can amount to way more than what Santa left in your stocking. If possible, when purchasing books, select the “rent” or “used” option to save your cash. If you have access to the web, you could even purchase an “e-book” which are normally half the price of a hard copy. Sometimes, campus bookstores even price match certain websites like Amazon. Check out all your options before spending $600 or more on books that will sit in the corner of your room all semester.
Keeping your living space organized and tidy from the start of the semester is important part of being successful. Putting off unpacking can cause clutter in your room, which can lead to stress or unproductive work. By putting things away and organizing at the start, you can set yourself up for a positive and productive semester.
The first week of classes can seem like a waste of time but “Syllabus Week” can be a great time to get ahead on work. Most professors give out a tentative schedule of the semester. This will give you an idea of when your assignments are due and exams will be. By writing down these dates in a planner or agenda, you will be prepared for and aware of the assignments in the future.
Instead of waiting until your senior year to check in with your advisor about your requirements, keep in touch with them at the beginning of each semester to make sure you’re on the right track. If you put something small off, it could become a serious issue in the future.
With the haste and stress of the spring semester, don’t forget to take a step back and enjoy yourself. Extracurricular and social activities are an important part of the college experience too. Catch up with your friends, join a new club, or hit the gym. Whatever you enjoy, do it! This will help you stay less stressed and more relaxed during the semester.
The most important tip to remember is to have a positive outlook on the spring semester. Everyone has at least one semester of college under their belt at this point. That means you’ve done all of this before; tests, assignments, late nights, and early mornings. You’ve conquered it before and you will again if you stay positive!
