How to ease the blues of going back to school
Getting back into the school groove when you just can’t let go of summer.
With the start of fall class, many of us find ourselves overwhelmed by the summer retreat. It can be quite difficult to get back in the swing of things, especially for those who avoid taking the course in the summer. Fortunately, there are many ways to help make the transition to college as smooth as possible.
Get Organized
As of now, instructors are posting their syllabus and setting the direction of their respective courses. One of the most useful things to do is invest in a day planner and write in all the important due dates, test dates and other pertinent information so that everything is easily accessible in one place. Alternatively, keeping Google Calendar up to date with all of this information allows the calendar to be easily accessed from virtually anywhere with an Internet connection on a computer, tablet or smartphone.
Another way to ensure success is to make a list of all the supplies you need to start the school year and hit the last-minute back-to-school sales. As college students, we are always on the lookout for ways to save: time, money, energy.
Planning the essentials for the coming year and doing some quick research to find the best deals makes starting the fall semester a lot easier. Most importantly, don’t be shy; Ask about discounts for college students. Sometimes, even the most unexpected things come at a low cost to college students.
Be Healthy
There is no doubt that most of the summer was spent partying, eating and probably getting very little sleep. Now that school is back in session, it’s time to check things once again. A healthy mind is also nourished by a healthy body. Eating right and exercising regularly helps manage stress, increases attention span and ability to concentrate, and overall makes the body feel good.
This is an important time to exercise each week, as being active increases blood flow to the brain, aiding with many of its functions, including memory and information processing. It’s also important to make sure you get enough sleep. Seven to eight hours per night is ideal for students, especially those carrying difficult course loads.
Take Time For Yourself
Although school, work, and social events often crowd any college student’s schedule, it’s important to designate certain hours of “me time” each week. Whether lying in bed reading a book or watching Netflix, or taking a dip in the pool or taking an afternoon trip to the beach, it’s important to take time for yourself during the school year. It helps to manage stress and prevents the feeling of being overwhelmed and never having time to rest. College life is all about planning, and if you take action, avoid procrastination, and stay ahead of the game, the school year should be a lot more manageable.
