Intersession is over and it’s time to hit the books again, Princetoniennes. In order to do even better this semester, check out these tips on how to better prepare for what the spring has in store!
Shop some classes
If you’re not sure whether to enroll in that graduate seminar or extra language class, don’t be afraid to test them out. Attending the majority of your possibilities in the first two weeks should give you a good idea not only of how the class will be organized, but also whether or not you will like the professor’s teaching style. Just remember to decide before the add/drop deadline (this year on February 14)!
Plan your semester
Print out a copy of the McGraw Center’s semester-on-a-page calendar. It already has all the important dates marked on it, including midterms and finals weeks. You can plan out your semester by looking at your class syllabi and marking dates for presentations and papers. While you’re at it, figure out just how much work you’re going to have for Dean’s Date and finals; while the finals schedule hasn’t been released yet, you can already see if you’ll have to sit for an exam or turn in a Dean’s Date paper (or, god forbid, both).
In addition to planning out your academics, don’t forget to schedule and balance your extra curriculars. On the same calendar, you can mark dates of rehearsals, performances, or important meetings for the clubs and groups you’re part of. This will let you let you put everything into perspective and allow you to better prepare for tough weeks. Plus, you don’t want to get behind on assignments just yet!
Get into a routine
If you’re one of the many who made a New Year’s resolution to get healthier, there’s no better time to (re)start than the new semester! Take the time early on to establish good routines that will carry you through the end of the year. This includes exercising, eating healthy, and sleeping adequately. The first few weeks of class should be the least stressful, and it only takes 21 days to create a habit. So why not start off the semester in the best way possible?
If you have any comments or questions, feel free to email me at kbushko@. Good luck with the spring semester, Princetoniennes!