Six Ways to be PREPARED for This Semester

It is always better to be over prepared than underprepared! Here are six things you can do to make this your best semester yet. I get super nervous going into a new semester with new teachers.
Here are some things that I do to make sure I am ready!

1. Print out the Syllabus (even if you're not required to)

Most syllabi have the entire semester outlined with due dates and all that good stuff. They have the teacher and TA's office hours listed, and basically everything you would ever need to know about that course. Print it out!!! Stick it in the cover of your binder, in your folder or tape it in your notebook. If you have a question of when something is due, you can access it before asking your teacher and them responding, "Did you even read the syllabus!" If you can access quickly while in class, then when a teacher changes a due date or office hours, you can quickly write it down instead a hoping you just remembering or losing the sticky you just used.

2. Write down important due dates from the syllabus you printed out!

Get out that snazzy planner you haven't been using all break! In my planner I use different colored marker for different events. I use pink for all my sorority events (geaux DZ!). I use blue for school stuff. I mix it up every now and again but it just makes it easier for me read, when I see something written in black I know that I have a dreaded math test on Friday. I also write down school holidays and my sorority events.

3. List all things needed for each class

I make a lot of lists so maybe this is just a me thing. I like to write down each class I'm taking and what I need for each class. When I get the item I need I draw a line through it. This is helpful for me so I don't get what I need for each class mixed up.

Math

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Interior Design

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Buy used textbook at bookstore

Get small notebook

Communications

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Buy small notebook with folder pocket

4. Make a tentative schedule for each day of the week

I like to write down my classes for each day of the week along with when I am going to lunch/dinner/gym. This helps me keep on top of things before I completely memorize my schedule and habits.

Monday
6:30 Wake up
7:30 - 8:30 Communications
8:30 - 9:30  Landscape Architecture
11:00 Lunch
5:30 Dinner

Tuesday
8 Wake up
9 - 10:30 Geography
10:30 - 12 Interior Design
12 - 1:30 Math
1:30 - 3 Accounting
5:15 Dinner
6 Meeting

Wednesday
6:30 Wake up
7:30 - 8:30 Communications
8:30 - 9:30  Landscape Architecture
11:30 - 12:30 Math Lab
1:00 Lunch
3:00 Workout
5:30 Dinner

Thursday
8 Wake up
9 - 10:30 Geography
10:30 - 12 Interior Design
12 - 1:30 Math
1:30 - 3 Accounting
5:30 Dinner
7 Workout

Friday
6:30 Wake up
7:30 - 8:30 Communications
8:30 - 9:30  Landscape Architecture
11:00 Lunch
1:00 Workout

5. Write down your goals

Two posts ago I shared my "Semester Goals" board. (I recently hung this up in my room and I'm very excited about it!) I am really aiming to get a 4.0 GPA this semester so that is my main goal; while also trying to be more organized. Writing down what you want to achieve makes you more motivated and able to achieve it. Especially when you see your goals everyday.

6. Take a deep breath

This semester is going to be what you make it, so make it great! Take a deep breath, it will be fine. Stay of top of your assignments, study before you need to, and don't procrastinate!

xx - C