A new semester is upon us, which means a fresh set of classes, new faces, and another chance to do everything you said you were going to do last year. Maybe you want to make a 4.0 GPA, or get in shape to wear that bikini youve been eyeing, but you have to make a plan of action to reach your goals (or New Years Resolutions).
Step one is to plan ahead. I live through my planner, and it is constantly saving me from missing important events or that quiz that might have slipped my mind. If your professor says a date, write it down immediately. Feeling prepared to ace a test is a great feeling and is much better than pulling an all-nighter for a test in your hardest class. If you are in an organization, putting meeting dates in your calendar also helps you plan around events that you cant miss. Being in multiple organizations can be crazy and most students have jobs on top of that. Just remember to stay organized.
If you have a resolution to get in better shape or to make better grades, give yourself a time limit on when to achieve those goals. Give yourself two months to lose five pounds or plan ahead study times and keep track of your progress along the way. Write it down, and I guarantee your success.
Step two is to manage your time. Time is a precious thing, and it seems like in college we just dont have enough of it. I like to spend some time at the beginning of each week to sit down and think about everything I have going on that week and how many days I have to prepare.
Have a big test on Thursday? Spend an hour or two each day studying, that way you arent overwhelmed and can make time for hanging out with friends or going to see that new movie. Set aside time for yourself too such as going on your daily run, taking a nap or whatever you do to unwind. Burn out is common for students, especially when you spend too much time on one thing. The key is knowing how much time you need to spend on each specific task and you can make your life less hectic. People will wonder how you can handle it all.
Step three is very important: do what makes you happy. They say college is the best time of your life, so why should you spend it being stressed out? It definitely isnt easy, but it shouldnt make you miserable. Do the things that make you happy, whether it is having a night on the town with your friends, driving around with the music up and windows down or just doing absolutely nothing for a day.
Take risks, try new things and dont be afraid. Thats what college is all about, right?