Start the Swinter Semester Right

It’s 2016, the start of a new year and a new semester. Depending on your college or university, it might be called the spring semester or the winter semester---the swinter semester if you like. It’s a new semester and maybe you’ve already made a few lofty promises, like, no binge snacking, or, only watching one episode at a time on Netflix (yea right), maybe you want straight A’s, new friends, or perhaps you need to pass a difficult course to complete your degree.

Maybe you haven’t made any promises for the semester, because, why bother? It’ll be the same as before, with last-minute studying, desperate all-nighters, buckets of caffeine, and a growing to-do list. But it can be different. Those who make goals are ten times more likely to reach their aspirations than people who never set goals. 

Define those Goals  

Set at least 3 goals for yourself. Write each one down and post it somewhere you can see it. Every semester I posted an

index card with my target GPA next to my computer, and I reached my GPA goal every semester. 

Make sure to keep each goal short, simple, and detailed. If you want to make more friends, your goal could be something like, “meet and chat with 2 new people every week.” It’s a simply-stated goal with a clear definition of success.

Get Organized (Sorta)

Staying organized doesn’t have to mean scheduling every nap on an app, or keeping task lists in a planner. Planners and organization apps are great tools, but only if they work for you. What’s important is that you know what needs to get

done, and the deadline for completing it. Write it or track it somewhere, mark the assignment, activity, etc. and the day it has to be finished. Track back from the deadline, and budget how much time you need to get it done---be realistic about your own abilities. Be honest with yourself. Also, don’t compare your pace to friends and classmates, just because your friend studied for an hour doesn’t mean you need to match her. Be honest about the time you need to finish something.

Know What to Do (Actually read the syllabus)

Getting organized and setting goals are great, but if you don’t know where you’re going, you can’t make a plan. You’ve heard professors say  “it’s on the syllabus,” read it. Understand the requirements, assignments, and grades breakdown for your classes at the beginning of the semester. You don’t want to find out at the end of the semester that the test you failed because you barely studied is worth 30% of your grade. Find out what the professor will grade you on and put the time into those assignments. 

If 40% of the grade comes from class discussion, get serious about completing your readings. If the midterm is worth 50% of your grade, don’t study last-minute. Know what you need to do to succeed in each class. Don’t get sucker punched by a requirement that you would have known if you had checked the syllabus and had a conversation with your professor. A little time in can go a long way to a better semester.

Leave a comment about what tips and tricks you use to start your semester on the right foot. Have a successful swinter semester!