Hi!
I start classes again next week and I think most of us college / university students just started or are starting classes again. So, I thought it’d be a good idea to share a list of things to do to start the semester right and set ourselves up for success.
1. Ask seniors for advice
Ask them about upcoming classes and lecturers. It’s good to know which classes are harder so you can plan and prioritise your study schedule.
2. Fixing your sleep schedule
If you still have a week before classes start, start setting your morning alarm 15 - 30 minutes earlier everyday. It’ll help get your sleep schedule back on track.
If you just started class, go to bed at least 8 hours before the time you’d need to wake up for your earliest class of the day EVERYDAY. It’ll be a little tiring and frustrating cause you’ll most likely not fall asleep instantly and have a lack of sleep throughout the day, but the exhaustion will make you sleepier and you’ll be falling asleep much faster at night. So, you’ll end up with a fixed sleep schedule by the end of the week.
3. Prepare your academic planners / calendars
Start noting down all the tests and assignments you have and their weightage to the final grade. It makes such a big difference when you have a clear idea of when all your tests are and assignments are due. You won’t have a huge shock when you realise you have a test in two days.
4. Check and make sure you know where your classes are
I thought I knew where everything is after being a student at my university for a year, but turns out I don’t. When I got my class schedule I realised I didn’t know where one of the lecture halls is.
I make sure I know where my classes are so I’m not late on the first day. I don’t like being late to class on the first day cause it doesn’t leave a good impression on the lecturer and the first day is the only day besides exam day, where everyone attends, so it’s really hard to find a seat too. Which means if I’m late, I’ll be awkwardly walking around trying to find a seat and then doing the awkward “crab walk” to get to the seat.
5. Revise previous content
If you have a part 2 subject, it’s best to revise the part 1 content before the semester starts or in the first week to save yourself from extra studying time later in the semester.
6. Pay your fees
I know, this is really random. But my sister forgot to pay her tuition fees once and it was pretty funny. She couldn’t log into any of the school systems and websites. She had to go to the finance department to sort it out and ask them to unfreeze her accounts. So, to avoid the whole debacle, please remember to pay your fees.
That’s all for this week, have a great week ahead!
- Grace :)
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