Tips to Get the College Semester Off to a Good Start

What To Do Before the Semester Starts

Create a master weekly schedule that accounts for the study time you need

On this page, see my tips on how to make the schedule work, and get a free download you can use to set it up. Use this as a template, adding appointments and commitments as they arise each week. 

Organize class materials

If you like to/need to have paper copies of class materials, set up your binder/notebook with sections for each class’s handouts, notes, and any other papers. (I suggest using a binder like this one.)  And do the same with your computer – create a folder for each class you’re taking and put subfolders in it for notes and assignments. See my suggestions for organizing electronic files.

Get a bag big enough to carry everything you need when you leave for the day

Try to find one with several pockets to help you organize materials and items you need every day. And try to put items in the same pocket every day so you can always find what you need easily.

Keep email under control

• Before the semester starts, set aside an hour and clear out all of your email accounts. (Try these tips or search for some on your own.) This can help reduce your stress.
• Decide which email address (personal or school) you will use for the semester. Go into any other accounts you have and set them to auto-forward messages to the primary account you have selected.
• Get your inbox organized. Unsubscribe from emails from stores (you can always resubscribe and may get a discount when you do) and/or think about using filters or tabs to move unimportant messages out of your main inbox to review later. See tips for organizing and clearing out your inbox here.

Print or buy a calendar that shows you a month at a time

It should have blocks you can write in. Post it over your workspace with all months of the semester showing in sequence. Cross off each day that passes so you have a visual of how much time is left in the term. Do this even if you prefer an electronic calendar. It can be hard to hard to sense time passing and midterms and finals can sneak up on you.

Go through the syllabus for each class you’re taking and enter important dates and office hour times in your calendar

I suggest using an electronic calendar for convenience and the paper calendar mentioned above. I know it’s extra work, but this system decreases the chances you’l miss something important, as the paper calendar keeps things visible at all times, and the electronic calendar is with you all the time on your phone/laptop. In the e-calendar, create reminders that will pop up well ahead of upcoming exams or deadlines. (Try this tool to help you create interm deadlines for long term work.) Keep only important exam and long-term assignment-related deadlines on the paper calendar to reduce visual clutter. (Crossing off days as suggested as above gives you a good sense of how soon a deadline is approaching.)

Also enter your professors’ office hours so that you know when help is available. Do the same for TA hours and review sessions.

Enter the add-drop deadline at the start of the semester so that you don’t miss this. Make sure you put a pop-up reminder in that will go off a week before the deadline so you have time to complete the paperwork before it’s too late.

Create a weekly schedule to follow

One of the hardest things about college is managing your free time. With no daily assignments to keep you on track, it can be easy to get behind. Create a weekly schedule that specifies when you’ll do the work for each class so you don’t end up scrambling later on. I’ve got a template you can use and tips on how to set this up.

Schedule support appointments now

If you’re taking if you are taking a course that you think will be difficult, at least set up a tutoring appointment for the first week after classes begin. You can always cancel if you don’t need it. (Put a pop-up reminder in your e-calendar for 3 days before the appointment so you can cancel in time if 48 hours’ notice is required.) Keep in mind that tutoring appointments may fill up before exams.

Do the same with writing center appointments in the weeks before a paper is due. These slots may be limited, too.

And does your school offer mentoring? At least set up one appointment for the start of the term so you can see whether you find it helpful. Again, slots may be limited.

Are you working with an outside coach or tutor? Talk to them now about their availabilty. Don’t assume they’ll have openings when you need them, even if you’re paying them directly.

Buy the books/download the readings now for the classes you know you won’t drop

If you’ve got a lot of electronic readings, I’ve got tips for how to organize those files.

Once you’ve bought/downloaded what you need, do the first reading assignmetns (before class) so you start off the semester feeling on top of things. See the tips I’ve written for my site and for ADDitude Magazine.

*If you’re a student with a disability, register with the college’s disability services office

(Read this post to see what the process looks like or watch this video to see a demonstration of the process online.)

If you find you don’t need accommodations, you don’t have to use them. But if you register when the term starts (or before, if you can), at least they’ll be in place if you change your mind later in the semester. If you wait, there’s a chance you’ll miss having your accommodations if your requests can’t be reviewed before your next test. Have reservations about doing this (ex. worried a future employer or graduate school might find out, think it’s cheating)? I’ve written a post to answer your concerns and recorded a video to do the same. I hope you’ll read or watch.

If you’re reading this after the semester has begun – don’t panic! Clear your upcoming weekend schedule (sacrificing one weekend will be worth it!) and get caught up with these tips and your assignments. This way, you’ll start next week feeling on top of things. Continue reading for more tips!

Additional Tips to Stay on Top of Things as the Semester Goes on

Stay on top of your calendar

Stick to self-assigned study/work times

As noted above, it’s a good idea to set up a weekly routine where you decide on what days of the week/time of those days you’ll do the work for each class. Of course, sticking to those times can be a challenge when nothing feels urgent.

You can create a sense of accountability to stay true to those study blocks in different ways:

Plan to meet a friend at the library for your study sessions. You don’t have to sit together – and if you’ll distract each other, it’s better if you don’t. Just make sure you’ll meet so you actually get there, and then go your separate ways.
If you can’t get anyone to meet you, text a friend (or – if it’s comfortable – parent) in the morning to say when you will study and ask them to check on you later to see if you did it.

Prefer to work somewhere else? Search online for “body doubling” session, where you and others stay online together while you work.

• Use a timer to help you stick to your set study blocks. Some students like to use the Pomodoro method, where they set up two-hour work blocks with brief breaks built in. You can always adjust the work/break ratio to suit your needs – just make sure you do enough sets so that you finish your work.

Keep track of needed items

Be consistent about putting away items like keys and ID – always put them away in the same part of your bag so you know where to find them. Consider looping small items together on a lanyard or leash and don’t just put them down anywhere – keep them in your hand until you can get them in the proper place (i.e., your bag or around your neck) while you’re out and about.

In your room, have a hook or spot on your desk where you always put them down and can find them easily.

Before you go to bed each night, check your bag to make sure it has what you need – pens, flash drive, books, phone, etc. If it helps, keep a list over your desk showing what should be in there.

Check email daily or every other day at a minimum

As noted above, one good way to keep email under control is to unsubscribe from most lists or send social/fun/retail emails to a folder or separate tab so you can focus on important messages.

Set aside time every day or every other day – at a minimum – to check and respond to messages. Some people like the “3 R Rule” (Read, Respond, Remove) to help them keep their inboxfrom overflowing. One letter to add to that idea is F for “file (in a folder)” – if you’re not sure whether you can get rid of something, put it in an email folder and then put a date in your calendar a month after the term is over when you’ll go to that folder and delete what you don’t need.