In light of starting my final semester of college tomorrow, I wanted to share what has come to be my favorite (and most effective) way to prepare for a new semester.
This is an amalgam of things I have learned from semester to semester as well as tips and tricks I’ve gathered along the way.
1. Make a “due date” list
After reading all of my syllabi, I make a Google Doc and separate it by month (January, February, March, April, and May for Spring semester). Next, I input every due date for every. single. class. It is SO helpful to have an overview of everything. I update the Google Doc as the semester progresses, but it’s convenient to have every due date in one place so I can transfer them over to my monthly planner, weekly planner, and daily to-do list.
Example:
JANUARY
TUE 22-COMM Reading pp.50-75
THU 24-MATH Online Assignment
FEBRUARY
TUE 5-HISTORY Rough Draft
THU 7-REC Quiz #1
And so on…
2. Shop for school supplies
I have been using my JanSport backpack since my first semester.
Besides that, the school supplies I buy are:
- A multi-subject notebook with folders (I assign each class to a section)
- A sturdy folder for loose papers
- A monthly/weekly planner
- A mini notebook
- A pack of flash cards
- A pack of pens
- A pack of mechanical pencils
3. Grocery shop
Coffee
College students’ blood is probably 50% coffee during the semester.
I have been making my coffee at home for over a year now and I save an average of $40-60/month because of it!
- A pack of K-cups (I have a reusable K-cup too for ground coffee, which is more eco-friendly)
- Unsweetened or reduced sugar almond milk (my favorite coffee mix-in)
- Torani flavor syrups (Vanilla and Hazelnut are my favorites…they make made at home coffee taste a lot fancier)
- Reusable cups (one with a straw for iced coffee, and one with a lid for hot coffeeF
Food/Snacks
For long days on campus, it’s crucial to pack healthy, yummy food/snacks avoid dropping $$$ at the convenience stores.
I pack my food/snacks in a reusable, insulated, and freezable lunch bag.
Some of my favorites:
- Almonds
- Mini Kind bars (I love the Sea Salt Dark Chocolate ones)
- Tigers Milk bars
- Sargento Balanced Breaks
- Pretzels
- Premier Protein shakes (only 1 gram of sugar)
- Clementines
- Bananas (be careful, they make everything around them smell like bananas)
- Bell peppers and hummus
- Pasta salad with veggies
- Turkey sandwiches on whole wheat bread
4. Set an intention
Knowledge builds on itself. From my first semester of college to now, I have developed immensely. I love setting an intention for the semester. It gives me a feeling of hope and reassurance for a worthwhile and fulfilling next 4-6 months.
One intention has remained steady throughout my whole college experience is ACCOUNTABILITY…to take full responsibility for my feats, challenges, successes, and shortcomings alike.
The intention I have for this semester is to BE PRESENT…it’s my last semester of college and I want to relish in every moment, good or bad.
If you’re starting a new semester, I urge you to try one or all of these things out! Good luck!
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