Even though second semester is in full swing it can be tempting to procrastinate work and spend more time socializing, but do not expect your GPA to soar if you do so.
Each year after winter break, the second-semester slump begins. College kids who spent every waking moment in the library last semester are seen running around campus without a care in the world. It can be difficult to return from lounging on the couch all day with your friends at home to conjugating Spanish verbs, but if you don’t make the transition fast the consequences could be dire. No one wants to explain their less-than-perfect grades of freshman year during their first job interview, and with a few easy tips you won’t have to.
One of the most important things to do before setting out to do the mountain of homework in your planner is to take care of all of your basic needs. This seems completely obvious, but too many kids try to study without sleep or starving. With all of your needs taken care of, studying will be way easier and far more efficient.
Next, try to pick one specific study spot where you go a majority of the time to really hit the books. If your roommate constantly chats with you, your dorm is not the best option. If the library freaks you out, choose your floor study lounge. Wherever it is, try to go there often so you will associate the specific place with hard work.
The most important tip is to eliminate all distractions. We have all tried to write a five-page paper at 10 am on a Sunday, not to finish it until 1 am because your friends decided to Netflix your favorite show right next to you. Instead of trying to multitask friends and philosophy, choose a studious friend to do work with. This way, you can take study breaks and chat without spending hours goofing off.
Another helpful trick is to choose certain times to work each day. Setting aside three hours a day will free up your weekend and ensure that you feel on top of your work, not to mention it is a lot more enjoyable than pulling an 18-hour study marathon.
Lastly, re-examine your priorities. Is it really more important to aimlessly walk to Pugsley’s or to spend that forty-five minutes studying for a test the next day? By making sure that you are focused enough to resist time killing adventures when you have a ton of work to do will not only dial down the stress, but also improve the quality of your work.
So this semester, instead of giving into the declining grades, follow these simple rules for the best grades yet.