My college experience hasn’t been easy. I’ve had to adapt and adjust along the way. However, going into my fourth year, there’s a newfound feeling of anticipation and joy for what this year will bring. As I prepare for all the ups and downs this semester will inevitably bring, there are few actions (old and new) that I’m willing to take to ensure this semester goes as smoothly as possible.
ORGANIZATION
This semester, I have 3 calendars: a whiteboard calendar to list all major events and assignments for the month, a pocket agenda to take to class, and a home agenda that goes more in depth about all of the assignments and tasks I have to do this week. It sounds crazy but trust me, it’s necessary. My filled and color-coded whiteboard usually guilt trips me out of procrastination and transferring things from my pocket agenda to my home agenda ensures I always know what’s next on my to-do list. In each, I’ve written all of my assignments and test dates for the semester along with an intended start date for studying.
BEING MORE INVOLVED
Last semester, I became a bit of a homebody. It wasn’t the best way to spend my first year at a new university. This year, I aim to be more involved specifically, in my department. I plan to be a more active member of PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) in addition to joining my campus’ Advertising Club. I also recently acquired a position in the University Relations & Development department as a student assistant within the special events division. Outside of just keeping myself occupied, this year I want to get to know my peers and the faculty of my university.
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF MY DAY
When scheduling my classes for this semester, I made the conscious decision not to have a class after 3 p.m. Afternoon classes are always tough for me. It’s impossible for me to stay awake. My mental and physical clock has a scheduled afternoon nap time and there’s nothing I can do to change it. So far, this has been great. I wake up around 7 a.m., finish my classes by 3 p.m., take a nap or relax for an hour then get started on that day’s to-do list. I don’t feel rushed; I have a lot more energy and a lot less anxiety. Is this what it’s like to be a morning person? Someone should’ve told me sooner.
These are just a few of the changes I’m making that I thought I’d share. As a student, it’s so easy to slip into episodes of anxiety and depression. While none of the above are instant cures, they’re small changes I felt I could make to alleviate some of the pressure I felt last year. That said, no matter your what path you’re currently on, don’t be afraid to adapt and adjust your actions on your own journey.
This post was written by Samaya Bowen and originally ran on the K12 L.A. Education Blog.
