On Aug. 19, the MU campus came to life with the bustle of students. Although summer break is over, there are still some students stuck in summer break mode. It is hard to switch from having fun to being serious, but here are some tips to help make the transition easier.
The first tip is simply setting up daily or weekly routines. It doesn’t have to be anything too challenging. According to the Seattle Children’s Foundation, this can be making sure all of your homework is done before bed or preparing your clothes for the next day the night before. The schedules you make can be the easiest activities or the most time-consuming. As long as it is helping you prepare, it’s right for you.
The second tip is to complete all of your assignments on time. Even though you might still be a bit sluggish from the summer, it is important to keep up with your classes.
According to journaling blog Page Flutter, “One of the easiest ways to pass a class is to do every assignment, regardless of how small. So long as you’ve completed assignments according to the syllabus, you’ll have a hard time failing a class.” It’s not hard to follow your list of due dates, so get them done as soon as possible and don’t procrastinate.
The third tip is to take advantage of the school’s resources. If you feel like you are falling behind, be sure to seek out help from the professor or the TA, or look at tutoring options. As Page Flutter recommends, take advantage of MU’s resources, such as the Counseling Center, the Student Success Center, and the Student Health Center. It’s not a bad thing to get help when you don’t understand something, whether it’s a concept in class or something in your personal life. In fact, it’s highly encouraged.
The last tip to start the semester off right is to take breaks in between all of the work that needs to be done. If you don’t schedule breaks between classes, a job, studying and extracurriculars, it can get pretty overwhelming. According to PsychCentral, it is helpful to schedule breaks as you are studying. For every half hour, give yourself a five to ten-minute break. If not, you will burn yourself out and make it hard on you both physically and mentally. Be sure to give yourself breaks, if only for your wellbeing.
College can seem very scary at first, but with a little bit of time and patience, it can turn into a new home and sanctuary. This time in students’ lives is one of both growth and discovery. However, not many people are aware of their limits. Know yours and be sure to take care of your mental and physical health.
_Edited by Janae McKenzie | jmckenzie@themaneater.com_