I cannot believe it is back to school time, already. It is also very strange that I am not going back to school this year...As I assume that most people are starting back up on Zoom University (or have mostly online classes) this fall, I have put together some of my best tips that will ensure a successful semester. I mostly geared these toward college/graduate/professional students, but hope I can appeal to all ages and maybe even you guys in the working world!
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1. Check your email frequently.
This is something easy you can do to make sure you do not miss any information about the courses you are taking, and updates from school, in general. Be ready for anything as 2020 has become the year of the unexpected, and getting in the habit of frequently checking your email will keep you in the loop.
2. Don't forget to Network.
It may be easy to think that you do not need to go to office hours or make appointments with professors because of the pandemic. But, there is a lot of resources out there to network in a non-traditional sense, such as to have a video chat or even old-fashioned phone call. Try not to let these unprecedented circumstances derail your goals and aspirations. If you want to do research with a particular professor, reach out and suggest a "coffee date" over Zoom. If you are interested in a certain career path or field, just ask if they have time to chat with you for a bit over the phone. It is scary to take initiate, but doing it and not waiting will benefit you in the future! Remember that you will still need a job, or letter recommendation when you graduate, and even though we're in a pandemic, connections matter.
3. Stay Organized.
Make a system for organization before your classes start (if they haven't already). I know, especially in graduate school, the shear amount of slides, handouts, e-books, and resources you get per lecture. It can add up quickly, especially with everything being electronic, it can just get messy. I use an app called Notability (on a tablet and laptop) where you can make folders and tabs for each class's materials. As soon as you download the slides or handout, immediately same them to the respective folder. This way you will always be able to find what you need, and you will not be scrolling through all of your downloads. Google Drive is another great resource and it is free!
4. Make a schedule and stick to it as best you can.
Having a schedule of when you have class, and when you are going to study is really helpful. It gives structure and routine to your days, and you will probably be more productive when it is your time to be "on." It definitely gives some predictability to your days, and that is something we all need right now. Control what you can control. This could be easier said than done, especially if you are at home, and your desk is in your bedroom! Do not be tempted to crawl back into bed, and don't get in the habit of always working from bed!
5. Dress yourself for class!
My last tip is to get dressed. This is for if you have all online classes or a hybrid of online and in person. If you dress yourself, you will feel more attentive in class than if you were just in your jammies. This way you also look like your prepared and ready, which professors really appreciate. It can be something as easy as jeans and a sweater, or a simple dress. I'd take a nice shirt or sweater, and joggers for bottoms. Just get dressed for you, your confidence and your mental health!
Feel free to ask me any questions, and read my other Work/Study/Productivity posts!
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As always,
#dontforgetyourpearls
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