For freshmen and seniors alike, the beginning of a new semester can be a very stressful time. From managing an ever-growing stack of assignments, navigating on-campus organizations, and moving into your dorm, life can feel like it’s coming at you fast and from all directions. Luckily, things don’t have to be so complicated.
One of the key things to keep in mind when adapting to a new schedule is to find the right balance. If you only focus on one particular class, you’ll miss a lot of details in others. But if you stretch yourself too far, you’ll find that you can’t carry the world on your shoulders. Try and find a comfortable middle ground. Don’t overextend yourself and don’t worry about joining every on-campus organization there is. Instead, find the work/life balance that works best for you, and then go from there.
Now, time to manage that schedule. First things first, get a planner. Whether it’s paper, or an app on your phone, or even a spreadsheet on your computer, simply being able to look at when each class is and when assignments are due can help you realize just how much free time you have. Paper planners run cheap at any supermarket, and apps like bonsai or connecteam can put your schedule at your fingertips.
On the topic of assignments, write your due dates down a few days earlier than they are. You don’t want to do your assignments at the last minute. Also, listening to some of your favorite music while working on homework or studying, it makes it feel less like a chore and sometimes makes you forget you’re doing work.
This may seem a bit silly, but give your room a thorough clean at the start of the semester. Having a clean living space can reduce stress and help you feel more comfortable at the end of the day. You certainly don’t want to spend your weekends cleaning your room either. Just a simple once-over every few weeks should keep everything in order.
Stepping away from work, remember to enjoy yourself. Try to take time to focus on your interests, whether that be music, exercise, or whatever floats your boat. Hobbies aren’t just a form of entertainment, they actually have real health benefits. You’ve probably heard that college is a great time, so let yourself enjoy it.
With that in mind, use your free time well! When you’re not studying, go for walks, meet with friends, and see what events are happening on campus or around town. It’s important to take time to relax and get yourself comfortable with your surroundings between classes.
At the end of the day, everyone experiences their semester differently. What may be an easy class to you might be a difficult one to someone else, and vice versa. Remind yourself that every day, you’re doing your best, and tomorrow your best might be a little better than it was today, or even a little worse, and that’s okay.