It’s that time of year again; crisp fall air, pumpkin flavored everything, and dreaded midterms. Chances are you have already taken your first test, written a couple papers, and have gotten pretty comfortable in your classes. As the temperatures get colder, and your life is getting busier it has gotten more difficult to make it to all your classes or to put in a ton of effort into all your assignments. So how do you avoid letting your grades slip this fall?
First of all, GO TO CLASS!
It can be so tempting to sleep in or go home early for a nap especially if your classes don’t have an attendance policy or are large lecture classes. But you never know if the teacher is going to have in class assignments or pop quizzes. Even if the notes are online, the teacher may explain or add things in class that you need to know for the exam!
Check your grades.
How did you do on that last test? Was your paper up to par? If not, find out what you need to work on, and fix it now before the final comes up and you are completely lost.
Prioritize.
This is probably one of the most important components for success. Chances are you are booked solid with meetings, studying, class, your social life, and trying to squeeze in some sleep. So figure out what has to be done each day and do them first! Then do things that less important or that can wait a couple days.
Resources, resources, resources!
We are really lucky to go to a university that provides us with so many great on campus resources. Need some help with a paper? Try the writing center in the library. If you don’t understand the subject, get some FREE tutoring! And don’t forget about your amazing professors! Pop in during their study hours, or shoot them an email. They are there to help you succeed.
Use your friends.
Hopefully you have a least one friend, or acquaintance in each of your classes, and if you don’t, check out the class links page on Appalnet. Try and get a group together to study before the next test. Chances are, even if you don’t understand something someone in the group will. Maybe you like to study by yourself; well you can at least have a study partner. Pair up with someone who needs some accountability too. You can go to the library together, or set aside quiet time in your room to study together!
Take a break!
It’s the most amazing time of year in Boone! Go to the parkway, or just go for a walk with friends. Pick out a cute new outfit, or make some yummy pumpkin bread. Schoolwork is really important, but it’s not everything! Make sure to have fun this semester, as well as get good grades!