The new school year marks the end of one season and the beginning of another. Transitioning from summer to fall means it’s time to turn day parties into study groups and all night outings into all night cram sessions. With each academic year comes a list of "new" professors, courses, classmates, expectations (from parents, educators, peers and yourself) as well as social and scholastic challenges. Sometimes, navigating through the semester can seem overwhelming, but, here are seven things you can do and remember to help prepare you for school.
1. Affirm Who You Are
Self Care is important for success at any level and there are a number of ways that you can implement it into your weekly regimen. You may not always have time for a spa treatment or the funds to go out for a nice meal, but reciting and reflecting on daily affirmations is a great way to ensure the school year stays on a consistent high.
Whether you prefer a spiritual approach through scripture or an intellectual one through quotes from great philosophers, daily affirmations will help you remember who you are. Write them on Post-its, your mirror or in a text to yourself. Just be sure to reflect on all the good that you possess and own it!
2. Dedicate A Space In Your Home For Work
Whether you live in a dorm room on campus, an apartment with your besties or at home with your folks, you need a dedicated space to get all of your schoolwork done. The space needs to be void of clutter and have an aura that will allow you to focus without being distracted. It can just be a desk, a corner in the room, the dining room table or a space on the patio.Wherever you choose, make sure the area remains clear so that you can work consistently.
3. Rent Your Textbooks
It’s like this; there’s no point in spending hundreds of dollars on books that you will only use for a semester. Renting textbooks saves money and still allows you to have the resources you need to be prepared for your classes. Services like Chegg and Knetbooks will be your holy grail to surviving the school year on a tight budget.
4. Make An Actual Checklist Of Things You Need
The school year can get hectic pretty quickly, as your calendar fills up with classes and social events. At some point, you’re bound to forget to do something like buy more laundry detergent or restock your supply of chicken flavored ramen noodles. Making a checklist frequently (weekly, biweekly or monthly) of essential items will keep you on track and keep your mini-fridge stacked!
5. Find Your People
Having a tribe comes in handy on those days when the work is piling high. Finding a group of people who will talk you off the drop-out ledge is a good way to network and develop long-lasting friendships while creating a circle of accountability. Try to link up with people within your major or who have some similar interests, but don’t be afraid to connect with people of diverse backgrounds too. Joining a club or organization on campus is a good way to build these connections so that you can find friends that will support and challenge you.
6. Don’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
While joining clubs is intriguing and beneficial, remember to only take on what you can realistically handle. The same goes for your course load. Just because your homeboy is taking all advanced classes and is toting a 20+ credit hour schedule doesn’t mean you need to. Be honest with yourself about what you can handle and master, before adding more to your plate.
7. Treat Yo’ Self
There is no such thing as a small win, when it comes to excelling in school. Try to do something to reward yourself for working hard. Celebrating your accomplishments can motivate you to keep grinding and simultaneously allow you to pat yourself on the back for the progress you’re making. You got an “A” on that chemistry lab? Treat yo’ self. You remembered to turn in that 20 page paper on time? Treat yo’ self!
You are the best cheerleader and advocate for yourself. Take care, move strategically and live your best life this school year with these easy to do self-help tips. Suo Marte— by yourself!
