A new year brings a fresh slate. You have yet to spend caffeine-fueled nights in the library, crack open new text books, and try out some new classes. Whether you’re hoping to maintain a pristine GPA or looking for ways to bring your grades up in the upcoming semester, here are 5 tips for a successful semester to help make this semester your best yet!
1. Actually use your planner
So many of us spend a little more than we probably should on pretty papers and customized covers that wind up just sitting in a drawer in our desks. Most professors publish their syllabus online, meaning you have access to all of your assignments and due dates well in advance.
Write all of these down in one central location to use all semester long and check your planner daily. If you constantly give your brain a refresh of what you’ve got coming up and what’s immediately due, you’ll be on top of your game!
2. Study Early
We’ve all waited ‘til the last minute to start studying for a big exam. Sometimes it works out, but most of the time we wind up wishing we would have started a little sooner. Schedule at least an hour every day to go to the best coffee shop in your college town and review the content from the day’s lectures. Studying small amounts over a long period of time will allow your brain to retain more than if you study a large amount in a very short time.
3. Stay Healthy
You don’t need to spend all of your free time in the gym, and it’s okay to have a treat or two every once in a while, but make your health a priority! Aim for a full night’s sleep on most nights, implement a workout routine into your weekly schedule, and fill your body with nutritious food. A healthy body is able to study more efficiently, stay awake in class, and still have energy for some fun along the way!
4. Ask for Help
Chances are you’re going to take a class or hit a subject that you don’t quite understand. When you can identify where your trouble spots are, don’t be afraid to ask someone for help!
Find a fellow classmate who seems to have a good grasp on the content, a TA, or even your professor. In college, you are surrounded by an abundance of resources just waiting for you to take advantage of them. All you have to do is ask for a little help!
5. Go to Class
This one should be a given, but in a world of optional attendance and sleep deprivation, it’s so easy to skip class. You’re paying for your education, so be a sponge and absorb as much as you can during your college years! Go to class and be engaged.
Take notes, ask questions, and take advantage of one of the few times in your life where your only task is to just sit and learn. Your professors are experts in their fields, so use them!
