10 Tips for a Successful Semester

In my five plus years as a tutor and college employee, I've worked with hundreds of different students of all levels and backgrounds. Some I see only once and others I see often, but I've seen enough of them to know what kinds of students are primed and ready to tackle their semester. These ten tips are essential for acing your classes, managing your time, and still having having fun, and if you put these into practice I'll have no doubt you'll have a successful semester.

1. Know your way around campus.

This is mainly for first semester students, but you'd be surprised the amount of students close to graduation who don't know where the Library is or could distinguish building A from B. When you have some free time, walk around and get familiar with where your classes and the best way to get to and from your classes. This is especially important if you have classes back to back and they're on opposite ends of campus! If you'd like, get an administrator to give you a personal tour of the campus and make sure you know where all your essential stops are, including the book store, the financial aid office, tutoring centers, and of course, the cafeteria.

2. Take notes and stay organized.

We tend to forget things easily, and it's scientifically proven that writing things down using good old fashioned pen and paper will improve our memory. When you're in class, take the time to jot down some notes. You don't have to churn out dissertations each period, and you do want to stay focused and in the moment for an instructor's lecture, but writing down topics and their main points can go a long way in retaining information. In addition to taking notes, keep them organized. Have a notebook and/or journal for each class, and use dividers. Having a bunch of loose paper in your backpack is only going to clutter your mind, so take a little time to organize so you can focus on your classes at hand.

3. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

Teachers are there to teach, and answer questions. Don't be afraid to ask them! Whether it's about make-up assignments, due dates, or unclear instructions, always ask the instructor anything you may be unsure about. If you are uncomfortable asking in front of the entire class, take a couple minutes and speak with you teacher privately before or after class time.

4. Wake up at the same time each day.

This may be a tough one for many of us, but there are studies that show waking up at the same time each day can improve your quality of sleep and give you more energy throughout the day. It may train you to go to bed earlier so you are getting enough sleep. It's unlikely that your semester schedule will start at the same time each day, but say your first class on Tuesdays and Thursdays are two hours later than your first class Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. By still getting up at the same time each morning, you've got extra hours to take care of homework, exercise, or run errands. This is a tip that could not only prove for a successful semester, but a successful life.

5. Don't procrastinate!

Everyone knows we shouldn't do this, and yet, life will get the best of us sometimes. Plans change and unexpected events can happen, but do your best to set aside some time devoted to your school work, and be consistent. This could mean working a little each day, or setting a chunk of time two or three days a week. You could also set daily or weekly goals for yourself to keep yourself on track and caught up. It takes a bit of time management and discipline, but you'll feel a lot better knowing you put in your work in focused chunks rather than having to pull an all nighter on a paper that's due the next morning that hasn't even been started yet. Surely not your best work, and instructors can tell!

6. Build relationships with your teachers.

Most teachers are flexible, down the earth people and they want to get to know you. Again, don't be afraid to ask questions and don't be shy about who you are, why you're taking the course, and what you expect out of it. Always be respectful and inquisitive. The more a teacher hears from you the more they'll remember you, and this could lead to flexible due dates, extra credit, and even reference letters or job opportunities.

7. Be Confident

You believed in yourself enough to apply and enroll to a college of your choosing to pursue your passion or better your standing in life. Don't let a bad grade or an unkind word get you down, and keep pushing forward. A good attitude can sometimes make all the difference in succeeding.

8. Check your email.

This may seem obvious, but I know students who rarely, if ever, check their email. Every college will assign you a student email, and this is how teachers will contact you on course information and other updates. The college will also send you their own updates, and make you aware of many academic and social opportunities on campus. As if that wasn't enough, websites like Amazon offer special perks for students with proof of a student email, so it definitely pays to check and use it.

9. Stay Balanced

At the end of the day, everyone has their own lives. It's important to not get caught up in any one thing and lose sight of relationships, family, friends, work, etc. Your academic work is important, but it is simply one piece of a big puzzle. Stay balanced - have time to enjoy yourself and don't overdo your academic work at the expense of spending time with loved ones.

And last, but certainly not least...

10. Visit your tutoring centers!

They may be a variety of different names, but about every college has one in one form or another, and some have centers catering to certain subject, such as a math lab or a writing center. These services are offered free of charge to the student (Well, included in tuition - make the most of it!) and it is a lifesaver. Tutors will work with you at every step of the way, identify your weaks spots, and help improve them. At the Writing Center I am employed at, 90% of the students that see us show improvement in their grades and walk out of their classes with an A or B. That's a statistic I'm proud of, and visiting the tutoring center at least once can make your semester that much easier and more successful.

Well, there you have it. I hope all of you found these tips useful and will implement them going forward. Good luck to all new and returning students this semester!

If you enjoyed this article, consider tipping!

Twitter/Instagram: @kylefostermusic