Start of Semester Tips: How to Stay Organized and Stress- Free
by: Donal Buckley
The start of any semester brings a wide range of feelings. On one end, it’s exciting. You get to take new classes and reconnect with friends you missed during the break. But it can also be daunting. You’re back to doing homework and taking exams, all while balancing extracurriculars, internships, and part-time jobs. If you’re a senior like me, you’ve probably gotten the hang of it, but even with practice it’s not always easy.
I’ve developed some tips and skills to stay as organized and stress-free as possible during the start of the semester. Some might be new to you or others already in your routine. Think about what you can add or take away to make this semester even stronger than the last.
Use a Planner
Ever since my freshman year, my planner has been my best friend in staying organized, especially at the beginning of the semester. It’s a classic tool for a reason: it works. After syllabus week, I mark in my planner every big project, essay, and final that’s due. It’s easy to get lost in a class syllabus, so having the most important assignments written down in one place can help you better prepare. Doing so informs me how I should plan the upcoming week, especially if I know a big exam is coming up.
If you don’t want to spend money on a planner, I’ve also seen people use online resources like Google Docs and Sheets, or productivity apps. Personally, I prefer handwriting everything I need. No matter what kind of tool you use, document when your big assignments are due as early as possible. Take it from me, you’ll lose motivation the longer you put it off.
Set Aside Study Time
It’s easier said than done, but once you’ve settled into your schedule and figured out where all your classes are, my next step is to figure out when you can actually do your schoolwork. I’m not someone who likes to do their homework late at night, so it’s important for me to identify pockets throughout the day where I can go to the library and knock out an assignment.
If you’ve got an hour between your classes, consider filling that hour with a reading or two so you don’t have to worry about it later. When I’m on campus, I’m already in school mode, so it ends up being the best time for me to do homework. Then my evenings are free to spend them however I see fit.
Find Your Study Spots
Not everyone likes the library, especially when it gets crowded during midterms and finals. Thankfully, USC has so many places to study in all of its buildings. To stay organized and stress-free, to me, a study spot must be both practical and pleasurable. If I’m doing homework between classes, I’m not going to pick a part of campus that’s too out of the way. Instead, I find benches and buildings close to where I have my next class so I can stay there as long as possible.
For example, I have many classes in Annenberg, so when the weather’s nice, I like working at the tables outside. I don’t just use these spots to study, though. Now that I’m off the dining plan, I bring my own lunch, and finding a place to eat can be as strategic of an endeavor as finding a place to do readings. Locating your favorite spots early keeps you from having to overthink it later in the semester.
Attend the First Class
Going to class the first week can be so overwhelming that sometimes, some people get the urge to not go entirely. Whether it’s wanting an extra week of break or thinking the first class doesn’t matter, I’d encourage us all not to fall into this mentality. In fact, going to the first class has the opposite effect — having the professor there to go over the syllabus helps inform you whether or not you really want to take the class, and what’s expected of you should you stay. Not going to class will just put you behind, and the start of the semester’s going to feel a lot less organized and a lot more stressful.
Don’t Overcommit
Last semester, I took 22 units, all while having an internship and other extracurriculars. Especially in your later years, you might feel behind if you don’t pick up another job or join new clubs, but it’s important to know what you can realistically handle. It’s good to be involved, but only if you have time!
Don’t join five clubs just for the sake of joining them; instead, be intentional about where you spend your time. Your extracurriculars should be enjoyable, and picking the right amount of ones to participate in can make the start of your semester pleasant.
How you choose to spend your time is ultimately up to you. But setting yourself up for success as early as possible can help make your semester as seamless as possible. There’s no way to remove the stress of school entirely, but from experience, the tips I’ve outlined above have definitely helped. If you’re finding yourself overwhelmed and still unsure how to handle it, you can always reach out to USC’s mental health and well-being resources. They’re here to help!
