Start of the Semester Checklist
Some quick tips to make this your best semester yet!
First Day Back +Grab up those syllabi! Put them in a folder for each class, or scan them if possible +Write down your professors names for each class with a fun or memorable fact +Even better, send them a quick “hi i’m excited for your class!” email +Figure out where/when you’re going to study and block off that time +Treat yourself to something small to get your brain excited to LEARN
End of Week 1 +Put all your classes, tests, quizzes, and papers in the calendar or planner of your choice. Set reminders or whatever so you don’t get caught by surprise +Schedule a meeting with your advisor if you need to change anything ASAP, or schedule one next month just to check in +Plot out your reading for the semester, and spend a half hour doing some (can even be speed reading/quick skimming, just do a little to get yourself in the habit!) +Get in touch with your TAs and see when their office hours are. Try to go to either theirs or the professors’ regularly +Double check for any labs, recitations, or anything else that doesn’t happen weekly and make sure it’s on your calendar--there’s nothing worse than realizing you’ve missed out a huge chunk of the class two months in
End of Week 2 +Start going to tutoring! It’s sooo much easier to get help BEFORE you need it, and making it a habit makes a huge difference +Check when online discussions/quizzes/other online stuff is due and make a note of it somewhere +Make some general outlines for the next few chapters/lectures for the month. It’ll help you keep track of topics and it’s easier to get started if there’s already something on the page! +Schedule a weekly study group with friends or start a group chat to compare notes. Making school a team effort helps you all succeed! +Look into clubs/teams/game meetups/whatever fun stuff you’re into so your life isn’t JUST schoolwork- meeting new people and exploring your interests is SO important and college is the perfect time to do it
Sometime In The First Month +Hit up an optional lecture/do some “optional” reading for one of your classes +Look up when the next job fair, company tour, or other work-related event and start prepping for it +Reach out to a professor, TA, advisor, or someone in your field who you admire about a topic that interests you. They just might be looking to mentor someone, and if not, it’s still a cool way to start making connections! MOST IMPORTANTLY: don’t freak out, plan when you can, and make this your best semester yet! Good luck ☆
