Spring semester. A time to connect with friends after the holidays, a time for redemption and a time to jump into new classes.

For many students, like myself, it can be hard to jump back to the grind. With these tips in mind, you can chase the bag, stay organized and be ready for whatever your professor throws your way.

Tip #1: Plan, Plan, and Plan Again.

You have probably heard the suggestion a million times, but buying a planner will honestly save your life. Stopping by your local Target or searching on Amazon, students can find their own lifesaver. Taking the time to look through each classes syllabus and writing those dates in can save you from a lot of stress. And you will be ready for weeks to come.

Tip #2: Don’t Forget to Schedule.

If you are like me you like to be heavily involved in what is happening at that the “U”. From attending basketball games to club meetings, it’s important to know what your schedule will look like from each week. I use a website called Freecollegeschedulemaker to plan when my classes are, work, and any other activities for the week. The templates are free and you can customize them with different colors and include important details, like room numbers and building names.

Tip #3: Self Care.

Let’s be real, stress is an inevitable part of college. However, it doesn’t have to consume you. Scheduling a little bit of self-care each day can make your college experience a little less chaotic. From having weekly coffee dates with your friends to doing a facemask every Sunday night, taking time for yourself can put things into perspective and remind you that the work can wait.

Tip #4: Find Your Study Spot.

Maybe last semester, you weren’t the best studier and that’s okay. Remember it’s spring semester, a time for new beginnings. Finding the place(s) that makes you the most productive student is an important part of being an effective learner. Whether you like a little bit of noise or dead silence, finding your unique spot can help you from becoming too distracted.

Tip #5: Healthy Choices.

Whether it’s eating a kale salad at Pura Vida or getting 6 to 8 hours of sleep a night, making healthy choices and knowing your limits is a key factor of college life. Maybe staying up until 3 a.m. every night or going out the night before an exam, isn’t the most healthy for you or maybe it is. Learning how much your body can take, is an important part of becoming an adult and even more important as a collegian. Know your limits and stick to them. With these tips, you can make this spring semester your best one yet. And, of course, if you do need to exercise self-care, pick up our latest issue we are sure to keep you distracted.

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