From Break to Books: Easing Back into Academics
As much fun as college is, getting back into the swing of classes, studying, time management, and overall “go-mode” can be difficult. So, let’s reboot our routine and find that new semester reset. I picked up a few tricks during my time at San Diego State University that I am excited to briefly share with you all…because I know you’ve got a routine to ease back into. We all had a different summer, some of us may have spent it studying abroad, traveling for fun, working a summer job or internship, or simply hanging out at home. Here are two of my top priorities to start getting back into the swing of things to hit the ground running when school starts back up.
Buy a Planner
Whether you’re a “write it down” type of person, like me, or an “online only” person, planning out a schedule is key to staying ahead of schedule. Personally, I love having a packed schedule, so school starting back up was a pretty exciting time for me.
My favorite places to buy a planner were usually Barnes & Noble, Target, or Amazon, they all have fun selections. Two websites or apps where you can do digital planning are Notion and Google Calendar. I use a combination of Google Calendar, Notes, and my paper planner to write everything down!
Develop a Routine
At least for the first few weeks of school, try to limit the doom scrolling on TikTok or other social media platforms. During study time, try putting down your phone for an hour or more until you can finish the task…maybe the first one to cross off will be writing out all of your assignment due dates for the semester/quarter. You will find that your to-do list will be completed much faster when you reduce distractions…surprising, right?
Like I said before, I work well with a routine. I remember mapping out my days from my first meeting of the day, to classes, to food breaks, work out time, last class of the day, and when I was shutting everything down and closing the laptop for the night. Lightly mapping out the day with necessary tasks is another approach that was also super helpful if I wasn’t feeling up to having a day intensely structured.
Remember to keep checking in with yourself. Is what you are doing working? Are you happy with your routine? What can you swap or adjust to be more productive? By trying out different things, you will find what works best for you and your body. Good luck, this year is going to be a great one!