Hello there!
Classes are right around the corner and I can't wait to dive in! Last semester, I found a few methods to stay on top of my work and to keep track of my grades. They worked so well that I will be implementing them again this semester. And the trick: I did most of them before classes even started! I thought I would share them with you today so you can be have your best semester yet!
1. Print out your syllabi and read them.
While this is only possible if your professors have uploaded them to your online course sites, you can also do this after the first session of your class where you will most likely get the syllabus. It's important to read them thoroughly so you know the class expectations, any assignments, or policies your professors may have. Some professors like to go over them in the first class but others may not. Regardless, take some time and look over them.
2. Enter important dates (exams, quizzes, assignments, etc.) into your planner.
Once you have looked over your syllabi, enter the important dates given to you by your professors into your planner. This way you can stay in the know about what's coming up and you can better plan out and prioritize your work. I like to give each class a color in my planner so I know exactly what's coming up and what to prepare for. Plus it looks more fun and colorful too! :)
3. Make a mini schedule in your planner of professors' office hours.
One secret I've learned in my three years of college so far is that professors love to see you during their office hours and if you go frequently, this can help your final grade. However, it can be kind of hard to keep track of them when you have 4, 5, or more professors to go to, all at different times. I have found that making a schedule in the notes section of your planner of when and where a particular professor holds office hours makes it easy to coordinate around your schedule. Also, by keeping it in your planner, it's all in a central location and you have it at all times. Below is an example from last fall.
4. Make a reading checklist for each class.
My classes tend to be very reading intensive and it can be hard to keep track of all of them. Last semester, I made reading checklists to help keep me accountable and to make sure I was doing all of them. For me, it can be hard to keep track of them from the syllabus but by making a checklist, I was able to keep track of all the due dates, pages, and whether or not I had completed it. Below is a sample page from the Holocaust and literature class I took last semester.
5. Make an assignment spreadsheet to keep track of your grades.
A great way to track of your progress in all your classes is to keep an assignment spreadsheet on your computer that you update throughout the semester. Below is my assignment spreadsheet from last semester. The far right column is covered up so you can't see my grades. :) However, I would put in my grade with the point values if I knew them or the percentage of my final grade that particular assignment was worth. Also, I would highlight it blue once I took a particular exam or turned in an assignment, just as another way to keep track of all my assignments.
6. Order your textbooks!
I'm the type of person that likes to order my textbooks slightly in advance. Usually professor assign reading the first class or the first week which can be troublesome to do if you don't have the textbook yet. Also, shipping can be another factor to consider. If it's going to take a while to get to you, you may want to order it well in advance before classes start. However, professors can be very accommodating if you explain your situation. In the meantime, use your library resources! Some libraries will stock textbooks that you can check out for a few hours to complete your assignments.
7. Purge your inbox.
I will admit it, I can be a hoarder when it comes to technology. Right now, I have over a thousand photos on my phone and just as many old emails sitting in my inbox from last semester. At the beginning of each semester, I like to delete all my old emails that I don't need anymore. I usually have no use for them and they tend to clutter my mind. By purging them, it gives a clean slate to the semester and motivates me to keep up on my emails during the school year.
This may sound like a lot to do before classes start, but trust me, it's worth it 100% and will help to jumpstart your semester off on the right foot! I hope this helps and you have the best semester yet!
Let me know if you have any questions in the comment section. Thank you so much for reading!
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