When you think back-to-school prep, shopping for fresh highlighters and notebooks might come to mind. But starting college brings life changes beyond nabbing a new backpack. If you’re like 70% of college students, you’ll be juggling a job along with your class load. Add in family, friends, and other community obligations on top of study time, and you’ll see that a major part of getting ready for back-to-school involves preparing to manage your busy student schedule.
Rather than waiting until school’s in session, think about smart success strategies now, before you get distracted by study groups, assignments, and midterms. Follow these tips to make the transition from summer break back to college as smooth as possible.
1. Set a sleep schedule
Summer often includes staying up late and sleeping in late, which means there’s a good chance your body is going to groan when you have to get up early for that 8 a.m. lab. Help yourself survive the first week by shifting your sleep schedule now. Wake up at least an hour before your first class is scheduled to start and go to bed at the same time each night, even on weekends. Being consistent reinforces your body’s sleep-wake cycle and will make it easier for you to get up in time.
And make sure you’re allowing adequate time for the recommended amount of uninterrupted sleep (hint: seven to nine hours per night).
2. Strategize for stress
College is an adjustment, and if you’re also working and juggling family or a social life, you may feel overwhelmed at times. Decide how you’ll handle those meltdown moments now so you have a plan in place when you need it most.
Make a list of activities you enjoy that help you unwind. Yoga or stretching, walking or hiking outdoors, meditation, and mindful breathing are all simple stress relievers. What else works for you? Maybe you watercolor, or garden, or play video games. List your ideas in the front of your notebook so you can turn to it and quickly pick one when you need a breather.
Also, aim to complete time-consuming tasks and errands before the quarter starts. If you need to renew your driver’s license soon, go now before the study crunch starts. Brainstorm tasks you’ve been putting off and complete as many as you can: set up a savings account, visit relatives, call the cable company, etc.
3. Stock healthy snacks
Fuel your brain with nutritious snacks, not junk that lacks. Proper nutrition strengthens your cognitive abilities and also helps ward off fatigue, allowing you to learn better for longer. Make a list of healthy, go-to study snacks that are easy to prepare and add them to your cupboard before school starts.
Plan your meals for days you have class. Can you pack your lunch so you have something nutritious to eat while you’re on the go? How will you store and heat your food while on campus? How will you make sure you don’t skip meals?
And don’t forget about proper hydration! Build up to an eight-glasses-of-water-a-day habit for improved concentration, cognition, and memory function.
4. Rally a support team
There will probably be times you need a little help getting it all done, so take time now to identify your support system before you get in a pinch. Who will you go to when you need a stress-relieving laugh? If you have to stay on campus late to work on a project, who can you call to let your dog out? If you need to study for a test, who at work is most likely to agree to cover your shift? Write these names and phone numbers down so when a challenge arises you have a plan.
5. Rough out a routine
Think of all your obligations outside of class and make sure you have a plan for how best you can fit it all in. When will you work, study or do homework? When will you see your family, exercise, and sleep?
Knowing how you’ll fit everything in ahead of time (even if it changes later) will help you stay on top of all you need to manage. Visualizing your schedule will also help you realize if you’re taking on too much. You only have three hours to sleep each night? It may be time to reevaluate your course load or give up a shift at work.
6. Set goals
Get the most out of college by writing a list of goals you hope to achieve this school year. Do you want to get all As, improve in one specific subject area, make a new friend in every class, join a campus club, improve your research skills? Putting your goals on paper helps you plan for and schedule steps to make them happen, and having that list can be a motivating bit of accountability that keeps you working toward achieving them.
7. Adjust your attitude
Whether you’re fresh out of high school or returning to school after a long absence, college can be hard. Allow yourself time to find your groove and give yourself space to make mistakes and learn from them. College is all about learning, not about already having all the answers.
Consider your quarter a success if you tried your best, learned something new, tested out different study strategies, gained confidence in your abilities, made a new friend, or expanded your worldview.
Need help with your back-to-school strategizing? We have resources for you! Make an appointment with a Shoreline advisor or a success coach to prep for your college success.
Fall 2018 classes at Shoreline Community College start September 26. Browse our programs to see how we can help you reach your goals.