Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like my breaks go by way too fast. It feel like it was just yesterday when I sat down to write Five Things To Do The Week After Finals. Since it quickly became this blog’s most popular post, I decided to create its counterpart….. I hope you enjoy and that this little list helps prepare you for the upcoming semester!
1. Make an inventory of your desk and study accessories. I don’t know if you have the same problem, but I always seem to run out of sticky tabs and flashcards within just a few weeks. Stock up on things like sticky-notes, whiteout, and paperclips before the new semester chaos reduces you to a puddle of tears when your favorite note-taking pen runs out of ink (may it rest in peace). Don’t be afraid to go a bit overboard–chances are you’ll use everything at some point in the next semester or two.
2. Skim through your textbooks. Yes, this means being a good student and reading ahead. Ask yourself questions–is it vocabulary intensive or something light that you can read between classes? Take note of any special sections or “extra” tools that the book might offer you and create a plan for how to outline/highlight/take notes. This isn’t something you have to go overboard on, but it’s nice to get a feel for the book’s structure before your professor assigns you four chapters on the first day of class.
3. Print off your syllabus. Your syllabus is your map to the rest of the semester, so it’s nice to peek at it before the start of lovely syllabus week. Take note of questions you might have ahead of time, that way you can promptly ask your professor for clarification. This is also a great time highlight your professor’s conference hours and email– while it seems a bit pointless now, you’ll certainly want to know where that information is by midterms.
4. Set up your notebooks and binders. Maybe you’re like me and enjoy those lovely six-subject notebooks, or maybe you have one for each class–either way, this is the time to figure out what subjects will go where. If you’re a big note-taker (which you really should be…more on that in an upcoming post) make sure to review your system. Find something that works for you and stick with it. Truly, starting the semester off with organized notebooks will save you when crunch time hits hard.
5. Pull out your Planner. Perhaps I’m just addicted (find my Five Confessions of a Planner Addict here), but there’s no way I can function without my lovely little planner. Really though, take an hour or two, grab your favorite pen, flip open to syllabus week, and have some fun. Write down your schedule and highlight any important start of the semester appointments. Anything and everything important goes in your planner, so review it a few times to make sure everything has been covered.
How do you prepare for a new semester?
I love this! I’m not in school anymore, but I have spent this week doing similar things – organizing my matierals for Bible study for the semester, starting a new journal, copying dates into my 2016 calendar. I LOVE being organized 🙂
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Thanks for dropping by, Lindsey! Isn’t organization fun? I especially love organizing journals and notes for Bible studies.
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This is a great reminder to reorganize my desk to prepare for the semester. By the end of the semester it becomes a catch all for all of my papers and notebooks. This really inspires me to get organized this semester!! Thanks!
-Tina
http://livinglearningdreaming.com/
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My desk is always equally cluttered at the end of the semester! I hope you have a great (and very organized 🙂 ) semester.
I love your blog, by the way. It’s darling.
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That is some great advice. I cannot believe that Christmas break is over. either. Only 2 days left, before I’m back in the books. Which university are you attending? I am a full-time distance learning student majoring in English at Regent University.
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Ah, a fellow English major! I attend a small, private university in Texas, and we just ended our first week. I hope you have a wonderful semester. 🙂
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Ughhh is it time to go back already?? Great advice though!
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My thoughts exactly–I can’t believe how fast Christmas break went! Thanks for stopping by and reading.
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I love your last tip! carry my planner around with me like the child I’ve never had. Best investment I’ve made in a while!
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Hiya, Kelly! I certainly agree that planners are a fantastic investment–I don’t know what I would do without mine.
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I normally am so prepared for each semester but senioritis is so catching up to me this semester…. I bought my binders less than 24 hours before the semester and I’m still ordering some books. I’m so embarrassed haha!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
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No need to be embarrassed–senioritis and the struggle is so real. I remember doing the same thing in high school. Best of luck with your semester!
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This just made me realize how unprepared I am for this semester… haha. School started Monday and I am still getting my supplies. I am always less motivated in the Spring semester than I am in the Fall. It’s bad. Also, you’re def not the only one obsessed with planners! I use two and I cannot go anywhere with out my planner!
Thanks for sharing your tips!
xoxo
Amy | pastelnpink.blogspot.com
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Two planners, Amy? I’m completely impressed. I’ll certainly have to try that sometime. Also, I agree that my motivation goes out the window during the spring semester–it always seems to much longer than the fall.
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I’m not in college anymore (something I hate thinking about haha) but I still can’t live without my planner! I use a gallery leather agenda and it’s such a lifesaver. My company uses all online scheduling + calendars but I still prefer to jot things down in my agenda.
Kayla | Keynotes from Kay
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Thanks for dropping by, Kayla! Online schedules can be fantastic, but nothing beats a physical agenda.
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These are great tips! My favorite one is the one for syllabi – it’s so important to be prepared before classes start! I always make an assignment list of ALL my semester’s assignments, organized by date, to keep myself on track.
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Creating a master-list of assignments is such a fantastic idea, Sara! I’m definitely going to have to do that.
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I always print out all of my syllabus’
It’s so fun to start a new semester and get organized!
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I definitely agree, Audrey! I hope you have a fantastic semester.
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These are great tips. Doing a little bit of work before starting helps increase productivity. Where are you studying abroad in England? I studied abroad there too!
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That’s awesome, Elana! Where did you studying? I’ll be traveling back and forth between Scotland and Whitby, England.
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Great tips!! While I am not in college anymore, my planner continues to be my best friend! No better way to stay organized!
xo Ashley
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Thanks for stopping by, Ashley–I’m so glad you enjoyed the post!
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Great tips! I actually did all of those things. I love being organized. My brother on the other hand missed the first week of class and is not off to a good start.
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Oh, no! I hope your brother’s semester gets better. Missing the first week of class is never a fun thing.
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These tips make me miss college so much!!
XoLindsay
Sugar & Something
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Aw, I’m sorry you miss college, Lindsay! It’s truly a wonderful four years of one’s life…
Also, I’m a huge fan of your blog. It’s darling.
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Love these tips on getting prepared!
http://www.kayleighskloset.com
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Thanks so much, Kayleigh!
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I forgot to print out the syllabus for each class and I really regretted not doing so last week (the first week of class)! These tips are great and I love planning for a new semester!
http://thealwaysblog.com
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Thanks so much for stopping by, Savanna! I hope you have an awesome time planning for the rest of your semester.
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These are great tips. I also wrote a post that had some of the same tips that I used for my first semester of college. I like to organize my notebooks and folders. I have one for each class. I organize my planner too. I like to look through my new books. I would like to point out that some universities do not allow you to print the syllabus ahead. I would print my syllabus for each class ahead but my professors do not release it until the first day of class.
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What if your university does not release the syllabus until the first day of class? I really want to print my syllabus ahead.
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Definitely agree with all of these! I took stock of my desk and accessories but forgot to act on it and my first day of class I had like four sheets of paper for my two classes. It was awful. Luckily I was able to get some more paper after that class so I won’t have to deal with that problem for the next class.
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