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Welcome back, students! We hope you have all enjoyed an exciting, yet restful break. With the first week of classes already underway, here are our tips to starting off this semester on the right foot!

1. Read the Syllabus
Take full advantage of “Syllabus Week” and actually take time to read it! This one may seem like a no-brainer but reading the syllabus can help you understand how your professor grades the classes, and what you can expect to get out of the course. It can also help you plan for the semester ahead by being aware of important test dates, assignments and quizzes. Take the initiative to introduce yourself to the professor as well during this week. This will show them that you care about their class and have an interest in what they are teaching. This will come in handy later in the semester, if you find yourself needing help or extra guidance.

2. Stay Healthy
If you’ve noticed the temperature has gone down, chances are you’ve also noticed the amount of people coughing and sniffling around campus has gone up! We are in high tide cold & flu season so do you best to ward off potential sicknesses by washing your hands often, eating healthy foods, and getting lots of sleep. Maybe it’s time you finally visited the salad bar at the dining centers. French fries do not count as vegetables!

3. Stay Organized
If you haven’t already invested in a planner… go buy one! They are an excellent tool to ensure you stay on top of everything you have going on in your life –group meetings, deadlines, assignments, tests, work schedules, and of course, fun social events. 🙂 As soon as you get your course syllabus, jot down the dates into your planner, or use the weekly planner to plan your homework schedule for the week. No matter the way you are using your planner, at least you will be less likely to forget an important date!

4. Practice Time Management
Along with keeping a planner to stay organized, try to set up your schedule so that you have multiple breaks throughout the day, and then use those breaks for studying. Have a slow lull at work? Put in some extra studying time! Start preparing for your exams from day one so you aren’t cramming for them later. You’ll retain all the information easier by reviewing the content on a daily basis. 

5. Track Your Spending
You thought this blog wasn’t going to bring up finances… well think again! :)With this being the first month of the year, everyone is on a mission to better themselves not only physically, but financially. You don’t have to aspire to be a personal finance whiz by the end of the spring semester, but you can start small by tracking your spending. Our website has a whole section on budgeting and some tools you might find helpful. Your wallet will thank you later!