• About
    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
  • Ministry
    • Video
    • St. Peter Institute
  • Contact

A Little Flower Grows

Catholic Lifestyle Blog

5 Tips to Help You Start Your Semester Right

January 9, 2016

It’s that time of year again ~ almost time for a new semester of school! With a new semester come new classes, new professors, a new schedule, new routines… so many new things to keep track of. That said, it’s important to start the semester off in an organized and diligent way, in order to avoid making things more chaotic and stressful for yourself down the road.

So allow me to share with you some of the things I do at the beginning of a new semester that I find most helpful, in hopes that it will help you get a great jump-start on your new semester too!

1. Buy your books on time.
Nothing makes for a more stressful start to the semester than not having your books on time ~ and therefore immediately getting behind. Always be sure to order your books well in advance (at least a week or two before classes start) to ensure that you have them on time. Then you’ll be able to begin readings and assignments right off the bat, instead of starting off the semester behind. Your semester will be off to a much more promising start that way!

2. Organize your things from last semester.
All those papers you left strewn all over your desk after finals last semester? Or all the bulging folders you never went through at the end of the year? Go through all of that stuff and organize it. Throw away anything that is no longer necessary, and hang onto anything that might be helpful or interesting down the road. Organize all your graded papers and assignments into folders, binders, or whatever you like to use (I use an accordion file, with a slot allocated for each class). Then voila: your desk will be clear and your folders empty, ready for a new semester’s worth of stuff!

3. Fill out your planner ahead of time.

While you can’t necessarily anticipate exactly how your schedule for the semester will end up, what you can know right away is your basic daily schedule. At the start of a new semester, you most likely know the days and times of your classes, and maybe even your work schedule. Write out all of those things in your planner and/or your calendar, and then you’ll have a basic outline of your schedule for the semester. Then you’ll be able to schedule the rest of your time accordingly, with any new commitments, activities, or events that come up.

4. Highlight key information on your syllabi.
On the first day of classes, take some time after each class to read through the syllabus thoroughly. Highlight or mark all the most important information: when your professor’s office hours are, the due dates for papers and assignments, exam dates, etc. (Then go write those important dates in your planner!) Then you’ll have a basic grasp of the outline and direction of the course, which will allow you to better anticipate deadlines, and also give you a head start on making the most of the class.

5. Introduce yourself to your professors.
Take a minute after each first class to introduce yourself to your new professor. This will allow the professor to put a face to your name, as well as get a good first impression of you as his new student. It will also get you off on the right foot in terms of forming a good relationship with your professor. These things will only lead to a better experience in the class.

What are your tips for jump-starting the semester? What are you most looking forward to this semester?

Sincerely,
~Stephanie

facebook // instagram // pinterest

Related

Categories: college, new year, tips

Related Posts

tips for buying and breaking in birkenstocksBest Tips for Buying and Breaking In Birkenstocks
Exploring South Florida, Part I: The Everglades
The Perfect Study Playlist for Getting Stuff Done
Previous:
2015 In Review
Next:
One Word for 2016

Comments

  1. Unknown says

    January 14, 2016 at 12:15 am

    I'm not in school anymore but this is all really great advice! Getting your books on time is smart otherwise you'll have to wait in long line ups and it's easy to get behind on your weekly readings.

    http://www.mintnotion.com

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About Me

Hi, I'm Stephanie!

Theologian’s wife, mama of one baby boy, lifelong Catholic. Michigan native, teacher by profession, avid tea drinker. Welcome to my little corner of the internet, where I share from my heart about wife life, mama life, and Catholic life. Pour a cup of tea and stay awhile!

Let’s Connect

Shop SHEIN for the latest in Fall and Winter Fashions

Recent Posts

  • 8 Essential Baking Supplies Every Beginner Needs
  • Top 9 Powerful Novenas for Catholics
  • Top 6 Highlights of the San Francisco Bay Area
  • A Redesign and a Relaunch
  • What I’ve Learned about Love and Surrender

Topics

Blog Archive

Selfie Shade Match - trèStiQue

Follow Me on Insta

stephaniebpeter

Catholic wife + mama of one
Blogger at A Little Flower Grows
Ministry: @saintpeterinstitute
Wife life, mama life, Catholic life👇🏻

Stephanie Peter
Yesterday’s Memorial Day cake, baked by yours tr Yesterday’s Memorial Day cake, baked by yours truly 🇺🇸 Speaking of baking, did you catch last week’s blog post about my top 8 essential baking supplies?! Hop on over to read my list - from one beginner baker to another - of baking supplies that every beginner needs! Link in bio👩🏻‍🍳
——
I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! 🙏🏻
New post on the blog today about my top 9 favorite New post on the blog today about my top 9 favorite, powerful novenas 🙏🏻 “Personally, I love novenas. As someone who appreciates schedules, I think it’s something about the nine-day structure that draws me to novenas. Plus I have found them to be extremely powerful and efficacious in my life for many an intention - not the least of which is the finding of my now spouse...” 💕 Continue reading #ontheblog ➡️ link in bio!
In 2016, I had the opportunity to spend time in Po In 2016, I had the opportunity to spend time in Poland for World Youth Day in Krakow, including visiting John Paul II’s hometown of Wadowice. What a blessed time it was - I’m still reaping the graces of that pilgrimage four years later. ——
I have soo much love for JP2. He was the pope of my childhood - the first papa from as far back as I can remember. I have so much appreciation for his Theology of the Body that first blew my mind in high school and that I was privileged to study more deeply in college. I love so many of his other writings too, and gosh I just love him in general.
——
Happy heavenly birthday to an amazing man, pope, and saint. St. John Paul II, pray for us! 💕
Happy Sunday, ft. flowers my hubby bought me + a f Happy Sunday, ft. flowers my hubby bought me + a few of my many candles 🕯💐
Happy Mother’s Day to my mom! And to my grandma Happy Mother’s Day to my mom! And to my grandma and mother-in-law! Three mother figures that I am so blessed to call mine 💗 Thank you for all you do for us and for being the best. We love you all! 🥰
#ontheblog today - top 6 highlights of the San Fra #ontheblog today - top 6 highlights of the San Francisco Bay Area! As many of you know, the hubs & I spent our first 7 months of marriage living in NorCal. So I rounded up our favorite spots that we visited in the area (complete with pictures) 🌁 Link in bio!
Starting a blog has been on my mind for a couple m Starting a blog has been on my mind for a couple months now. I used to blog several years ago and enjoyed it a lot, but fell out of the habit during my senior year of college.
——
But recently, I felt God putting it in my heart and nudging me to get back into blogging again, and specifically, to make my new blog a Catholic lifestyle blog.
——
I’m so glad that I finally launched it and I’m excited to be on this new journey! I hope you’ll follow along with me 💕 (In case you missed my first post, go to the link in my bio!)
Hey Insta friends, I have some news for you that I Hey Insta friends, I have some news for you that I’m SUPER excited to share with you!
——
1. My husband and I have launched our online ministry, the St. Peter Institute for Scripture & Evangelization! We’re primarily producing videos, articles, and a podcast on all things faith, marriage & the family, Biblical apologetics, and Catholicism. Check out our Insta @saintpeterinstitute
——
2. I’ve officially launched a blog! I blogged until my senior year of college 3+ years ago, and I decided it was time to get back into it. It’s a faith-centered Catholic lifestyle blog called “A Little Flower Grows”, where I’ll share about my faith and ministry, my interests, and life in general. Check out my first post, just published yesterday - the link is in my bio 💁🏻‍♀️
——
I’m so excited for both of these things to be taking off! They’ve been on our minds for a while now and we’ve finally had the time to launch them. I hope you’ll follow along with us! 💗
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Theme by SkyandStars.co
Back Top

Copyright © 2023