The transition between high school and college is an exciting and scary journey that will leave you with a lot of mixed emotions. With all the exhilarating new social endeavors, getting settled into a different living situation and developing a routine, it can be easy to forget the reason you are in college is to learn. Here are some easy tools to keep you on track with your studies and remind you to hunker down and focus on making the most of your education.
Use Your Planner
During freshman orientation, it is likely you received a free day planner. Instead of throwing in your backpack and never looking at it again, take advantage of it as a way to organize your busy schedule. If a written day planner doesn’t work for you, find an app on your phone or computer that will help you stay on task. Writing down when your assignments are due and committing a specific time to complete them will help you avoid procrastination and unnecessary distraction. It is not only important to use your planner to navigate your course load but also to make time for social events and daily tasks.
Devote Space to Schoolwork
Living on your own for the first time is exciting but it also requires a certain amount of responsibility and organization. Use the first few weeks of school to find a place where you can get work done with minimal distractions. This is going to be different for everyone so it is important to figure out what works best for you. If you’re not sure where you study best, mix it up for a week, try the library, your desk, kitchen table, living room, and bedroom. At the end of the week analyze which setting you were most productive and stick to it.
Find a Study Buddy
Making friends in college is almost as important as maintaining good grades, so why not mix the two? Reach out to people in your classes and determine who has similar attitudes towards school and life. Asking someone to study is not only a great way to solidify information but also an excellent resource for finding life long friends. Make sure you are on the same page about completing coursework and that you both bring something to the table during your study sessions. You should be able to learn from and teach your study buddies.
Invest in Internet
If you live in the dorms, free WIFI will be provided but if you don’t desire the chaotic atmosphere of dorm life then you will most likely live off campus. While it may be tempting to rely on your school’s library and Starbucks for free Internet, it is important to invest in your own. You will undoubtedly need it on one of those late nights or early mornings when everything else is closed. If you are having trouble finding Internet that fits your budget, check out Verizon FiOS deals to find out how to get Internet, TV, and Phone services without breaking the bank.
Make Time for Yourself
With the pressure of a full time course load, piles of homework, and extracurricular activities, it might be hard to find time for yourself. It is crucial that you make a little bit of “you time” every day whether it be relaxing with friends, reading a novel, or vedging on your favorite TV show. Allowing yourself at least an hour a day either before you go to bed, when you wake up, or between classes will help you maintain a healthy balance between school and life.