Sunday, January 13, 2013

Successful Spring Semester!

School is back. I start my final semester of college tomorrow morning at 11 am. Totally crazy! The past 7 semesters have taught me a thing or two about how important organization is, but last semester definitely taught me the most! As a result, I've compiled a little list of tips and other things that help me immensely (especially since I'm insanely busy!). 

 Plan ahead!
I've always used some sort of paper planner and I still swear by them. After I get all my syllabi, I write down all  major due dates (tests, papers, presentations, etc). I usually leave out anything that can change because I hate crossing things out!

I now swear by my Google calendar! Our school e-mails are Gmail accounts so I sync my mail and my calendar with my iPhone so I always know where I need to be. It's all colored coordinated and I can pull it up to edit at anytime or place. Here's what mine looks like for the first week of class:


Notebooks

For classes that rely heavily on PowerPoints, I print these out ahead of time in 3 slide per page handout format and keep them in a 3-ring binder. This way, I can take my notes right on the slides and highlight the most important things. This also means I spend less time writing and more time paying attention to the lecture. 

For classes that don't have PowerPoints or they're not posted before class, I use a 3 or 5 subject spiral notebook. I know some people like one for each class but I have way too many classes to tote that many every day!

Pens

Now, you  may think I'm crazy that I'm including pens in a post about having a successful semester. But for me, this definitely applies. I hate hate hate when my notes don't match. I've even been known to rewrite notes if my pen went missing in class. As a result, I always keep my favorite pens in every spot possible (purse, backpack, desk, kitchen, coffee table, apron for work, etc). Therefore, I buy a new pack for every semester. One semester, I used a different color for each class and that was fun too. The only issue was when it came time for studying and highlighting my notes. So, I suggest you find a pen or two that you love and use them for everything!

A charged laptop

Again, maybe a weird thing to talk about along with this one. But, I always have my laptop with me on campus. The first reason being my Google calendar that I mentioned before. It is always pulled up on a tab in my browser. Another being note taking, some classes are easier with typed notes (although I usually stick to notebooks). Also, you never know when a class will get cancelled or let out early. By having your laptop charged and ready, you're always prepared to do some extra studying (or go crazy on Pinterest for a bit...). 

Use your time wisely!

I mean, we've only been hearing this since middle school (or maybe sooner), but it is so important! Since I work at night during the semesters, I have to get everything done during the day or sacrifice my sleep. I love sleep way too much, so I get as much done in between classes as I can. This is also where that charged laptop helps. I always bring something to work on for another class in case something lets out early. 

Eat right.

Like I discussed here, I don't eat the best normally. As a matter of fact, last semester I was so busy I averaged one meal a day and it was usually take out/drive thru or something else not good for me. I would also end up starving while sitting in class and unable to pay attention. So I definitely learned how to solve this problem (which should be pretty obvious):  pack a lunch! And snacks. And 3 drinks. And a coffee. Basically, come prepared. 

Here's an example of how I'm solving this problem: 
  • Breakfast burritos: I'm pre-making and then freezing sausage, egg and cheese burritos that can be heated up and eaten on the way to campus. 
  • Large crock pot meals: I'm in the process of making chicken and rice that will last me a few days for dinner so I will be able to walk in the apartment and be eating within 5 minutes!
  • Fruit smoothies: fill you up, healthy and you can take them on the run. Bonus points if you pre-make and freeze the proper serving size and you can just throw it in the blender!
  • Apples, bananas, any easy to eat fruits as snacks throughout the day. 


Do you guys have any good tips on how you survive the semester? 




2 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow! This is great. It definitely needs to be given out to freshmen every semester. Great tips.

Have fun in you last semester!

Leslie said...

Thank you! :)