Starting a new semester can be exciting and terrifying all at the same time. Here are a few suggestions for what you can do to ease yourself into new classes and schedules.
1. Get to know your professors. It helps to at least become comfortable with them. Your professors can help you when the coursework becomes a little harder and they may give you some extra advice that could come in handy. Offer to sit with them during lunch one day as a way to get to know them.
2. Organize your class work using binders or folders. You don’t need a complex organizing system, but it helps to keep all of the material for a specific class together in a binder or folder. This way you are less likely to lose assignments or homework.
3. Take advantage of extra credit opportunities early in the semester. Some professors offer extra credit on the first day of class. Doing extra work now instead of later in the semester is helpful for when the workload gets more intense. Some professors even offer extra credit just for having lunch with them.
4. Use a planner. They can be useful for writing down homework assignments, test or quiz days, and special events. After the task is completed, you can then reward yourself by crossing it off.
5. Scan the textbooks. You can do this by looking at the chapter titles, chapter summaries, or vocabulary. This gives you a head start on what to expect for the class.
6. Do not panic. Receiving the syllabus on the first day of class can be overwhelming, but don’t let it scare you. As long as you do the work required for each day, you will be all set.
And most importantly, keep a positive attitude and don’t give up.