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I started my sophomore year of college three weeks ago. Going into my second year at the University of Alabama, I thought I had everything figured out. However, I should’ve considered that this was my first year of having all in-person classes at a university of almost 40,000+ students, which can be a lot to handle.
Though you might think you’re ready to fall back into the in-person class routine, here are five tips that can help you handle the stress that comes along with it.
- Plan, Plan, Plan
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If you don’t already have a planner or calendar app, now is the time to start using one. At the beginning of the semester, your professor will probably give you a syllabus that outlines your assignments and important dates. Iโm thankful that all my professors do this, but it’s hard to keep track of material for five different classes. With that said, at the beginning of the year, I input all my assignments onto Google Calendar. This helps me keep track of things that need to get done to keep up with all my classes. In addition, I use the same calendar for important dates for extracurriculars, clubs and work shifts, so all my information is in one place. You can do this on a digital calendar like I do or in a planner or bullet journal. Planning will save you a lot of stress down the road.
- Time Management
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Short-term planning is just as important as long-term planning when it comes to time management. Wearing five different outfits a week to in-person classes rather than sitting in my pajamas on Zoom has proven to be more difficult than it should. To save time in the morning, I like to pick out my outfits and pack my backpack the night before. This helps me focus on getting ready for the day instead of running around my apartment half-dressed looking for my textbooks in the morning. This also allows me to leave earlier than I need to, which is helpful when you encounter an unexpected amount of foot and car traffic on the way to class. Consider that there are probably more students at your school than you think there are if you’ve spent the last year and a half on Zoom.
- Pack Accordingly
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Your books and laptop are essential items you need for class, but there are some things you should keep in your backpack in case of emergency. As embarrassing as they are to use sometimes, keeping an umbrella in your backpack in case of an unexpected thunderstorm will keep you dry walking from class to class. Other items to keep in your bag include feminine hygiene products, makeup wipes, hair ties/clips, chargers and a small snack. You never know when you or someone else in your class might need them; it’s always great to be prepared!
- Check Your Email
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Emails were certainly important during online school, but they are still the first and most efficient way your professors will probably communicate with you. Professors and administrators may send e-mails about important dates, assignment changes, and canceled classes. There’s nothing worse than walking a mile to a class that was canceled 30 minutes before it began.
- Rest
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Your physical and mental health should always come before school and social life. If you need a day off, take it. Optional attendance lectures are a great way to take a break when you need one. Sometimes, you may also have to miss out on social events like date parties and club meetings, but it’s always better to take care of yourself than stretch yourself too thin. It’s okay to take time for yourself and recharge!
It’s exciting to be back in person at school after being online for so long, but we often forget how stressful these routines can be. Using these tips will make it easier to become more acclimated with your in-person class routine instead of jumping in blindly. Cheers to the rest of the semester, and good luck!