It’s the start of a new semester and if you’re like me, you’re wondering where the time went. It seemed like yesterday I was stressing over finals, getting annoyed by all the midnight screams, wishing for the semester to be over and here we are again about to start the spring semester at Stony Brook University. Luckily we start with the honeymoon period. The first several days are always nice, the professors are only handing out syllabuses, no work is yet due, and everyone’s still happy to see each other. Anything is possible, maybe this is the semester I’ll get a 4.0 while still having an amazing social life. Well, here’s to having a great semester, and here are a couple of things you can do to make it that much better.
School
The beginning of the semester means a mad dash to buy books. Those who are forward thinkers might have already purchased their books on Amazon or Chegg. Unfortunately for the rest of us, we wait till the beginning of school and rush to the University Bookstore to get our books. And alas, the Stony Books has shut down its doors which are a huge crush for students who wanted to get cheaper books. Luckily now we can rent our books or buy used copies so online and pick it up at the Bookstore once school starts. We all know how the University Bookstore can be the first week of school, so hopefully this can shorten those long lines.
Once we get through the honeymoon faze let’s not fall into old habits. Here are some helpful hints to stay on top of your work:
1) Read the syllabus, or at least skim through it. Most people don’t do this, and I am no different. It’ll give you a brief idea of how the semester will be, that way you won’t be too surprised. It’s also helpful to jot down the date of your exams or when papers are due. Set reminders for yourself so you won’t have to procrastinate.
2) Become friends with your classmates or people that have the same major as you. They can help you deal with problems that arise and motivate you to do better. Having friends that support, challenge and motivate you can make your experience at the Brook that much richer and push you to reach a level you never thought possible.
3) If you have questions contact your professors. Blackboard is a great way to find your professor’s or TA’s contact information. This is a win-win situation. It’s your professor’s chance to get to know you and your chance for help. If e-mailing doesn’t help, go to your professor’s or TA’s office hours. Getting to know your professor’s can also be handy when you need recommendation letters for graduate school, med school, or any other programs you want to pursue after college.
4) If during the semester you fall behind in your work, you can always go to the various help centers located on campus.
Prioritize
Remember why you are in Stony Brook, and that the effort you put into your education is what you get out of it. At the end of the day, if you don’t get a degree, you’ll have nothing to show for your hard work. While it’s great to multi-task, if extracurricular activities conflict with writing a paper or studying for an exam, you have to decide which is more important to you.
Have fun
You only go through college once, so make the most out of your Stony Brook experience. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and stressed caught up with life here at Stony, so it’s important to have ways of unwinding. If you haven’t already done so show some school spirit and attend a Stony Brook’s men / women’s basketball game. It’s a great way to get your Stony Brook swagger on and to see Wolfie. Make sure you’re wearing something red to show your support.
Everyone knows Thursday is the start of the Stony Brook weekend, and even though many have complained about Stony Brook being a “dead” campus, things are definitely starting to turn around. If you look hard enough, you’ll always find something to do. Go to a party and dance your heart out, parties are always being advertised on campus. On Thursday, Stony Brook student’s get a discount at the Lowes Movie Theater located just minutes away. If movies aren’t your thing, a little friendly competition can make the night interesting. Thursday is ladies night at Port Jeff Bowl. Ladies pay $2 for shoes and $2 per game. Bring some friends and find out who’s the best bowler. If everything else fails, a night in hanging out with friends can be just as fun. Play the game “Mafia” or “Bobby’s World” and you’ll be sure to have a good time.
Have a good support system
There are going to be days in college that you’re feeling down and having the right people in your circle can make the world of difference. Find a friend and vent, tell them what’s bothering you or what’s on your mind. Surround yourself with positivity. Make sure the friends you have are reliable and trustworthy so if you’re having a bad day, you know they will be there for you. Personally, I love going to Kelly CafĂ© and getting oatmeal raisin cookies with iced caramel latte and just talking to my friends. Starbucks is also a great place; it has a nice atmosphere to relax.
Stay true to yourself
It’s easy to forget who you are when you’re being exposed to so many different things. If you don’t have some sense of your beliefs and values you might not be happy with the person you become. Don’t get caught up in the hype of what everyone else is doing. You can meet the wrong people and fall into bad habits. And don’t forget three words to live by: GO! FIGHT! WIN!