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Preparing for a Semester

Afternoon everyone!

Hope you are all doing well during this fine afternoon. So you're starting a new semester and you have no idea how to prepare. Well, let me impart you with my wisdom on how best to prepare and start the semester on the best foot. Believe me, it will all be very overwhelming but when you start ticking one thing after the other, the journey will be a lot more doable.



1) Ensure you have all the material you need. Firstly check if you have all the textbooks and documents you need to do your course. If you are missing something, contact your university as quickly as possible so that you have everything ready at your fingertips. Check that you have access to online resources that your university provides. Make sure you have your student ID and access to your university time table. If you are missing anything, contact your university to get it fixed.

2) Read all the preliminary module information. When you receive your material or when you get access to online resources, you will see that the modules begin with a section introducing the whole module. This will give you a lot of information on how the module will run and how you will be assessed. In addition, it will provide suggestions on article and books to read that will give you a better head start. I would recommend reading a few articles and books to help you get comfortable with the module even before you have started.

3) Check if there are any work or reading you have to complete before the beginning of the semester. If there are any, do complete them as they will really prepare you to hit the ground running. It will also provide you with a great introduction that will help with your understanding as soon as the semester begins.

4) Fix your sleeping pattern. Who has a bad sleeping pattern? I think we all do. It's very easy to stay up late watching Netflix or YouTube without having any regard to your future self who will be too exhausted to focus. So, fix your sleeping pattern. Discipline yourself to sleep at a reasonable time and wake up at a reasonable time. Nothing too crazy. Make sure you get at least 7 hours sleep. A tip that has always worked for me was leaving my technology outside the bedroom. This allows me to actively make the decision to get up and turn off the alarm in the morning. It also prevents me from looking at memes on Instagram all through the night.

5) Set some goals. I know it might seem a bit too early to set goals but seriously. Consider what you want to achieve and the best methods to achieve them. It might be lifestyle goals or health goals. Whatever it is, have a direction to keep you moving forward. Write the goals down and set some deadlines and targets and be ambitious to meet them. A goal written down is a plan.

6) Check with your mental health. Ask yourself if you are doing okay. Are you nervous? That's natural. Are you feeling a little unready and overwhelmed? That's natural too. Reflect on what is going on inside your head and maybe go to counselling or go to the GP if things aren't so great. Take a rest sometimes to recoup yourself. It's okay to have a little break to figure out what is going on. Maybe start taking up meditation or exercising as these will boost your mental health. Be mindful, also, of what you consume because while most can be harmless, some of it can be toxic.

7) Buy yourself a planner and note down all the important dates when your assessments are and note down any other commitments you have to plan your time effectively. I use a bullet journal but you can literally use anything you want to help with planning your journey.

8) Make sure you have your accommodation details if you are living outside. Access your flat as early as you can to unpack your things. Walk around the city to get used to where everything is. Make sure you also get familiar with the best route to your university and make yourself aware of the transport to ensure that you don't get lost. If you already have roommates there, socialise and get to know them. Make sure you have access to any events or gatherings that you are interested as this will also help with putting you in touch with new people.

9) Make sure you organise your documents and books effectively to ensure that you can access it whenever you want to. Make sure your bag is also organised properly. Clean out and organise your wardrobe and kitchen to allow things to be quick and stress-free for you.

10) Be excited. This journey will be a long one but it will be an incredible one.

Good luck everyone! I hope those help you and I will see you in my next post!

Sincerely Sinthu x





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