10 Spring Semester Tips You Need To Keep In Mind

The countdown to summer begins! Spring semester is a great time to correct the mistakes you made in the fall and make sure you’re being the best student you can be. Haven’t used your planner all year? That’s ok! Just rip the last few months out and begin your organizational journey this January. Here are ten Spring semester tips that will help you make the best of the last few months of school.

Write Down A List Of The Study Mistakes You Made In The Fall

We all make mistakes in college. But your grades don’t lie, and if they’re not as high as you’d like them to be, it’s time to change your habits. Whether it’s not studying enough or procrastinating writing projects, confront it by writing it down and determine how you’ll improve your grades by changing your habits.

Take Out Your Syllabi And Put Every Assignment In Your Planner

Rather than waiting for the deadline to be a few days off to put an assignment in your planner, do it as soon as you get the syllabus. That way, you can look at it at the beginning of each week and develop your schedule accordingly. It’s important to stay on top of things to avoid stress as much as possible.

Work Ahead

Working ahead of the class is not just for overachievers. Going ahead of the schedule at the beginning of the semester will help lessen your workload when your professors start assigning time-consuming projects. Reading assignments are the best work ahead option because they don’t rely on lecture material and may even help you understand the following lectures better.

Create A Schedule And Stick To It

Put your phone calendar to good use this semester and create a schedule for each day of the week. Where you should be at what time and most importantly setting aside a time to study each day. If it’s written down, you’re more likely to follow through with it. Make each event recurring so that when you feel like giving up your phone will act as a motivational coach.

Give Yourself Free Time

Don’t burn yourself out by overbooking your schedule. Be realistic about what you can complete each day while still giving yourself some time to relax. Staying on a schedule is difficult enough, but if there’s no time for you written down it won’t be long before you abandon your schedule.

Designated Cleaning/ Grocery Shopping Day

Pick a day that works for you and get your household chores done. Clean your apartment or dorm, do your laundry, and get the groceries you’ll need for the week. I recommend Sunday because you’re less likely to have plans on a school night.

Eat Well

Make sure you’re eating a balanced diet that will help you focus and be your most productive self. Eating enough is super important because brains can’t run properly on energy drinks and protein bars. Make sure you’re taking time to eat meals between classes and study sessions!

An Open Letter To CSUN Freshmen

Form A Study Group

Meet up with your classmates and exchange notes. You never know if you missed something the Professor said, and hearing what other people got out of the lecture will help you understand the material better. If you’re a freshman, this is a great way to meet new people and network.

Do Your Big Assignments Before Spring Break

If you have projects due after spring break, do them before you leave. Post-spring break syndrome will make you unmotivated to work on a big project, and sufferers often forget their grade depends on it. Also, you can enjoy your spring break more if you don’t have to set aside time to do your assignments before school begins again.

Start Studying For Finals Early

Start studying for finals three weeks prior to finals week. This is especially important if your finals are cumulative because remembering what you learned at the beginning of the semester is hard enough without cramming it into one weekend. Read your notes from end to beginning and highlight what your Professor tells you will be on the exam. Avoid finals week panic attacks with this tip!