Written by Jenna McConnell

Thumbnail Photo by Dom Fou on Unsplash

Going back to school and regaining a sense of control can be challenging at any age. Finding motivation in university can be really difficult, especially right before a brand new semester. After the long few months of summer break, the thought of paying tuition, cracking open the textbooks and sitting through long classes again, for some, sounds like a nightmare. However, there are things students can do to make this transition more bearable and possibly even fun! Below are some tips and tricks that can help students prepare for the first day and have some fun while doing it!

Get Your Sleep Schedule Back On Track

Science has proven that getting a proper night’s sleep is essential for success. According to the National Library of Medicine, sleep deprivation can affect many areas of life, including reduced emotional and stress regulation, memory and cognition, as well as put you at higher risk for a multitude of diseases and disorders. During the summer, you may have let that slide a bit in place of nights out with friends or bingeing a show at home. Starting the process of regulating your sleep and going to bed at a more reasonable hour early on will help the transition seem less jarring. It will ensure that you are well rested so you can take on the first day energized and excited to return to learning!

Create A Realistic Study Schedule

Most students don’t like studying, but everyone must do it. Creating a study schedule is a great way to motivate yourself to stay on top of your work when the assignments and papers inevitably pile up. While this becomes clearer when the year starts and students receive each professor’s syllabus, the process can begin much earlier. Dedicating a certain amount of time each week to each course will ensure you don’t forget or fall behind. Adding your study hours, class times, and other personal commitments into a calendar is a way to visually keep track of your time. You could write it out on a physical calendar, or put it into your phone so you can set reminders! As well, scheduling time to take breaks in between the chaos to do something fun and relax is vitally important. It’ll help keep a sense of calm and help to not feel overwhelmed with the pressures of school.

Give Reading A Try

Getting back into the school mindset can take some time, and one way that students can get reacclimated with the mountain of readings yet to come is to pick up a book! Whether it’s a haunting thriller, a fun romance, or an action-packed fantasy, spending time with a novel or two will mentally exercise your brain and help prepare for the focus required when studying.

Go Dorm/Room Shopping

Moving into residence or a new apartment adds a whole other set of unique challenges. Figuring out what to get for the perfect room can be a minefield of advice and ads, making it tricky to know what will be useful. Preparing and buying items for a dorm room can also, however, be fun! It is a great way to mentally prepare and check things off the to-do list. Find below a list of a few essentials that will make independent university life a breeze:

Rolling Laundry Basket

No one likes lifting a heavy laundry basket, especially in the dorms when the machines may be far away. A rolling laundry basket will be a saviour, helping to wheel down the halls easily and without struggle. They can be found in a variety of colours and styles. They can be bought for relatively cheap off of Amazon or other online sites if you cannot go grab one in person.

A few options: Walmart , Amazon

Lap Desk

Want to get cozy in bed but still have a dreaded assignment due? Do you have no space in your dorm room for a large desk? A lap desk may be the answer. Small and compact, it is easily tucked away and won’t take up a lot of space when not in use. The perfect size for a laptop, it is a great way to stay motivated on those low-energy days.

A few options: Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy

Storage Bins

In that same vein, investing in some good quality storage bins for under your bed is a great way to maximize your space and make your room look cleaner. Any sense of organization will aid in avoiding distractions, and who doesn’t love a clean space?

A few options: Amazon, Ikea

Clip Lights

Another great addition to add a little personality to your room is a set of clip lights! This adorable set comes with multiple pins to clip your photos and other mementos to. While being a light source for the evenings, it is also a great way to display precious memories with your friends and family and breathe a little life into your home.

A few options: Amazon, Michaels

Have Fun!

Finally, it is important to still make time to have fun and enjoy these last weeks of summer. While you may feel that this is unproductive or counterintuitive, doing what you love is never a waste of time. Taking some time out of your day to go out with friends, explore the outdoors, and recharge before the school year starts is just as helpful and will help students begin the year with a fresh and positive mindset.

Preparing For A New School Year