Start your Semester off Right - Ten Tips to Make it a Success!

Syllabus week is over and now it's time to get down to business! I know, I know there are block parties, tailgating, rush, Wing Ding Wednesday (shout out to my Bradley peeps)! You may be thinking that it's only the second week and you've got time. Getting yourself organized and ahead on your work is the best thing you can do to get your semester off to a great start. There is no better time to start than now!

Create a study schedule based off of the amount of credit hours you are enrolled in to block off days and times for studying. You should be studying 2 - 3 hours for every credit hour you are enrolled in. Yes, you heard me right - every credit hour! So if you are taking a 3 credit hour class with a 1 credit hour lab, you should set aside 8 - 12 hours outside of class time to study. Yes, there are classes that may not require that much study time, but believe me it is better to figure that out after your first exam rather than bombing it! And know that completing homework assignments are NOT the same as studying.

My first semester in college I enrolled in 18 credit hours - mostly math & science courses that met for 1 hr MWF or 1.5 hrs TuTh, each with 1 hr labs. That is 18 hours of class/lab time and 36 - 54 hours of studying each week. That much studying seemed impossible, and I felt lost from the beginning. I didn't think it was attainable, nor did I know where to start. It wasn't until my Sophomore year that one of my sorority sisters recommended creating study blocks (thanks again, Brad!)

Tip #1 - Start by blocking off your classes in your schedule. Then create 90 minute sessions with 15 - 30 minute breaks. I found it best to study an hour right after my tougher classes to review my notes then put the remainder of the sessions on days I didn't have that class. If you have a job, block off those hours as well. And don't forget to block off time off to cook/eat and exercise! Don't worry - you can kill two birds with one stone! Grab your notes, hop on the elliptical, and listen to your previous lecture. In addition to your weekly schedule blocks, make your 'semester at a glance' document with important dates throughout the semester!

Tip #2 - Record your lectures and listen to them again as you review your notes! Pay attention to what your professors are repeating or focusing on! Believe me when I say hearing the information more than once will greatly benefit you!

Tip #3 - Eat. Sleep. De-stress. Repeat. Get an adequate amount of sleep each night, ESPECIALLY before an exam! I pulled an all-nighter once and it was the worst thing I could have done. Find a schedule that works for you - I personally require a good amount of sleep. If I needed to study more, I would wake up at 3 am or after at least 2 - 3 sleep cycles (each lasting 90 minutes).

Make sure that you are setting aside time each day to de-stress - exercise is great not only for your physical health, but for your mental health as well. Dance class or yoga is what cleared my head and helped me to de-stress in college! Try out exercise classes offered at the Rec center or find a workout buddy! And don't forget to fuel your brain with good food!

Tip # 4 - USE THE FREE TUTORING OFFERED BY THE UNIVERSITY. Think you are smart and don't need it or have a handle on it - doesn't matter, use it anyways. Not to mention, you're technically paying for it in your very expensive tuition! They may explain a concept in a different way that just clicks and/or they may have insight on best practice tips for a particular class or professor.

Tip # 5 - Go to office hours and ask questions. I was always afraid to ask questions because I didn't want the professor to think I was dumb. Ask for clarification even if there is someone in your class that is about 10 steps ahead of you asking all the questions (flash backs to pathophysiology). Do not allow yourself to feel lost in any of your classes. Ask for help!

Tip # 6 - Find a quiet place to study without any distractions. I had a secret spot in the basement of the library and boy would it bother me when someone was in my spot!! Let your people know you're studying and you'll check in later then turn off your phone or put it on the do not disturb setting (aka text your mom & tell her you're in the library with your phone off while you study - if you don't respond, she will panic and go through every scenario in her mind why you aren't answering) Trust me, do yourself and her sanity a favor! 😂 And who couldn't use a "You go girl" or "I believe in you" message from your mom right before a challenging task?! Moreover, DO NOT be tempted to scroll your facebook feed or instagram stories! Have a friend change your password if you must - we've all been there!! They are major distractions and a waste of time!

Tip # 7 - Make flash cards or use Quizlet.com to test yourself from the get-go! If you need some social interaction, get a study buddy to review flash cards with you! Even if your roommate is a different major, ask them to quiz you one evening! Quizlet offers different games to test your knowledge, but if you're like me and prefer some screen free time after all the studying done on your lap-top then grab your note cards and go town!

Tip # 8 - Write down your goals! What is your reason to go to college - to graduate with a bachelors degree or to land an internship/job with Company X for example. Why are those goals important to you? Are you wanting to raise your GPA in a particular class or do you want to make the Deans List each semester, etc. Now, determine your study goal each week and outline how you will reach that goal each week. Tell your mom, your friend, your roommate - anyone who will help to hold you accountable.

Tip # 9 - Prioritize your life. Write down what is important to you and reflect upon how much time you are devoting to each of those areas every week. Remember you are there for your education first and foremost. You are not there to be the president of a sorority or to be the captain of the dance team. Take it from me - I did both and paid the price. Partake in ONE extracurricular - grad schools and employers don't give a crap how involved you were in college. Your GPA is what matters! C's do in fact get degrees, but they don't get you into grad school. Everyone wants your time and thinks their activity is the most important. It is ok to prioritize your studying over an event. Friends will come and go. And there will always be another party.

Tip # 10 - Breathe. Know that there is a plan for you and believe that you are going to be successful! Visualize yourself acing that exam or receiving your acceptance letter to grad school! There are going to be bumps along the way, but remember there are so many before you who have gone through similar situations. College is a lot harder than high school and it is an adjustment. Talk to someone if you are overwhelmed or just need advice! Many universities even offer free counseling - find out what resources are available to you and use them! If you need to drop a class, that is OK! Communicate with your counselor if you are struggling. Write down important dates for the semester, including dates for which you can withdraw from a course & receive money back, as well as the date in which you can withdraw without it affecting your transcript.

I hope that my tips and experiences will help you to be successful in your studies this semester! Best of luck and here's to starting your semester off right!!

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