Starting the New Year is always an exciting yet scary adventure. You never know what great things to expect and what horrors will follow. One of those horrors is a new schedule of classes.
Starting any new class is scary; there are so many things to worry about. What if you get lost? What if you walk into the wrong class? And God forbid, what if you have to choose partners on a group assignment? There are a lot of things that could go wrong, but luckily I have a few tips to help you adjust to your new schedule.
- Find your way:
Being lost is the worst feeling in the world. No one ever wants to walk around aimlessly like a man in the women’s section of a department store. That is why I suggest you map out your schedule ahead of time. Whether it is just finding the building or counting your steps from room to room, knowing your way around ahead of time will save you from the embarrassment of looking at maps or falling into the pattern of your old schedule.
- Come prepared:
Knowing exactly what to bring to class and what the teacher will expect is difficult. What if you don’t bring enough paper or what if you bring too much paper? To avoid struggles like these I suggest you carry a few essentials before entering the class.
Make sure to always have a notebook. Size doesn’t matter until you figure out how many notes you will be taking in that one class. Also, have at least one pencil and pen on you. Remember that there is no need for 30 gel pens and multiple color-coded folders. This is not 5th grade; no one cares how pretty your pencil case is.
3. Make friends:
Switching classes means that you won’t always run into the same friends from other classes until you start classes pertaining to your major. But do not fear, surviving a class without friends can be done by following one of two rules.
The first thing that you should try is compliment the person next to you. Even if you are pulling a Regina George (“Where did you get that? So cute.”), the person will appreciate your kindness and hopefully a conversation will strike up.
If that doesn’t work, revert to having the attitude of a Persian prince/princess: just think to yourself, “I am here to learn and get out. Do not waste my time.” You shouldn’t be mean to others if you use this method, but it will make you feel better about not really talking to anyone. Plus, your other friends are waiting to meet you for lunch, so don’t sweat it.
- Don’t get distracted:
Many of us have probably gotten used to constantly being on our phones or turning into sludge on the couch from the winter break. Unfortunately, with classes starting we can’t risk being distracted by our favorite TV shows or the newest trending topic on twitter. So when you are in class, try putting your phone away; it won’t kill you to not know what’s happening in the world for an hour. And while you are trying to force yourself to write that paper over the 300 pages you never read, have your favorite show recording so you aren’t worrying about missing it.
And finally, the kicker.
- Get out of your holiday slump:
Yes, Yes, we all hate coming back after a well-deserved break. You’re not different so stop complaining. Everyone struggles with the same back-breaking rage of starting classes again, but your tuition is already paid and there is no backing out now. So, here are a few ways to get out of your holiday slump.
First, take down all of your holiday decorations. It is sad to give up the holiday spirit, but the end of last semester was your time to slack off with the excitement of the holidays.
Next, get your sleeping schedule on track as soon as you can. It is no longer acceptable to sleep in until 3 p.m.
And finally, you can start making checklists. It sounds very cliché, but it works. Lists will help you keep track of what books need to be bought and what assignments need to be done. The time of doing absolutely nothing has passed.
New schedules can be scary but we all have to get back to work, or what it should actually be called “fake it till you make it.” If you follow some of these steps I bet the transition from fall to spring will be easier. Good luck on your first week back!
