How to Prepare for a New Semester in College

We are less than a month out before students are back on their campuses and another semester of college is underway. As Dean of the Collins College of Business at the university, I wanted to share a few of my top tips for being well prepared for a new semester. Even though classes are a few weeks away, proper preparation and new habits can take time, so there is no time like the present to get started!

Clean out your computer:?

From prior semesters (or even schools), your laptop can start to become cluttered. Take some time to sift through old downloads and files and clean out unneeded documents. Organize what you want to keep in folders, and get everything in place for your new classes. An extra tip, find a new screen wallpaper! This will give the impression it is a fresh start on your computer, preparing you for success.?

Confirm your schedule:

New semesters can be overwhelming. Starting early,? look at when your classes are and their location on campus. Figure out when you might have time to study, work, or hang out with friends. Most importantly, are you leaving enough “me” time so that your transition into the year will be as smooth as possible.

Set your goals:

A new semester is almost like a new year. A new semester resolution is a great time to focus on the implementation of a new habit. You can put down getting back to the gym or finally taking that dry-cleaning to the laundry, as well as what you wish to achieve in one year, for example. This should not be limited to just one more agenda item, it can also include what you want to work to grow as a person.?

Start up the sleep schedule:

It is summer, and you have probably had a couple of late nights. Well, you should probably consider the upcoming transition of the return of the alarm clock.?

Set a bedtime on your phone so all your notifications will be silent, and this will be one distraction less. Start setting an earlier alarm each morning, so when the class time comes again, you will be ready!

Order your books:

There is no better feeling than being fully prepared for your classes. After confirming your schedule, see if the syllabus has come out. Your required class materials will be on the list which will allow you to at least get organized so you will know which book is for which class and when they need to be ordered.?

Focus on your mental health:?

Finding a new routine at the beginning can be stressful. Don’t forget to be patient with yourself when you need it. Close the book, block out your agenda, and say no to a social event, it is okay to slowly ease back into the buzz on campus. Put yourself first so that you can enjoy a happy, healthy semester physically and mentally.?