Welcome back to school, college students! The first day of school is here, and in some ways, not much has changed since third grade. You wear your back to school clothes, you meet the new teacher, you check out the other student, and you hear about all the exciting things you're going to learn this year, like fractions and cursive!
Well, maybe a few things have changed. Mom doesn't take you back to school shopping anymore (and if she does, count your blessings). And as the professor hands out the syllabus and you see how much work is expected of you this semester, you long for those fractions from back in the day!
College has one great thing going for it. You get to start from scratch every semester! It doesn't matter if you got a D in your 8 a.m. class last semester. The professor who hands you that syllabus doesn't know about that D. You're just another brand new student who has the potential to ace the class.
So, take advantage of the new semester! Take the time to get organized now, and when things get hectic later on, you'll be prepared. Here are some tips for starting off your semester well:
- Now is the time for time management. Get a planner (paper or electronic) and organize your semester now. Write down all your major assignments and figure out how to distribute your workload each week. Be sure to account for other activities that will take up time, including your job. If you do this now, you may prevent a frantic last minute paper or all night study session.
- Resist the urge to slack off the first couple of weeks. If you fall behind now, you'll have to make up the work when you're busier.
- Come to the first day of all of your classes. It may seem like you don't do anything important, but that's not true. The first day is when your professor explains what is expected of you and introduces you to the class. If you plan to do well, don't miss the introduction. Besides, professors hate it when students skip the first day. (If you have to miss the first day, call and apologize, and stop during office hours to chat about the syllabus.)
- Read the syllabus, and know what's in there! The syllabus is a contract that explains to you the rules of the class and the penalties for breaking these rules. It also tells you how you are going to be graded and what is expected of you.
- Make sure you have everything you need for the semester-- books, course packets, school supplies, etc. If you're expected to print out a pile of online readings for the class, print them all out now.
- Get off to a good start with the readings. You're probably not too busy yet, so make sure you do all of the readings. Otherwise you'll have to make them up later when you're busy. If you have time, read ahead.
- Get off to a good start with attendance. The material you learn at the beginning of the semester may be key to understanding later material, so don't miss these days. And hey, if a class has an attendance policy and you get three free absences, don't waste those absences now. Save them for when it's 80 degrees out and you feel like laying on a blanket all day.
Naomi Rockler-Gladen - Instructional designer and freelance writer, Naomi Rockler-Gladen writes some of Suite101's most read work.
