Tips to ring in a new semester successfully

After fall burnout and binging on holiday treats, spring semester 2022 has arrived. Whether excited or not so excited, the new semester leaves students trying to figure out their new schedules and needs all by themselves.

Here are six tips to help each student succeed throughout the next semester and provide helpful resources to make this next semester’s resolutions, whatever they may be, easier to accomplish.

Tip one: reach out to your student advisor.

Whether you are undeclared, exploring a major of interest, deep in your major or an online student, each student at Utah State University has an academic advisor who wants to help. Armed with multiple resources to fit their student’s needs and usually a bowl of candy in their office, each advisor seeks the success of their students and is ready to answer any questions that may arise.

Tip two: find study methods that work for you.

No one wants to waste time using a study method that does not help them retain information.

The best study tips are the ones that work for you. Take the time to see if USU study groups, peer mentoring programs or tutoring can help you through your classes.

Tip three: get involved with campus life.

In a study conducted at the University of Tennessee, psychology professors Cunningham, Rogers and O’Leary found that becoming involved in campus activities and socializing with peers, whether the student is introverted or extroverted, “reduces burnout and diminishes the effects of school and work stress.”

Therefore, whether joining a club or attending a sporting event, taking time to socialize and have fun with your peers on campus is vital to overall mental health. Socializing allows students to feel more connected to their peers and their campus.

Tip four: take advantage of office hours.

Finding a way that you can connect with professors, whether it be bringing them a soda or talking about their favorite book with them, is the best way to bolster student-teacher connections.

Not only can that connection upgrade the C you thought you might get in a class, but it can also potentially help you attain future work, with things like Undergraduate Teaching Fellowship, or UTF, opportunities and networking capabilities.

Tip five: check your university email account regularly.

USU consistently sends out alerts, financial support opportunities and Canvas updates, enabling students to remain informed on their grades, scholarship or grant opportunities and fun campus events.

This is also the student’s primary source of communication with their academic advisors, UTFs and professors. By checking this resource regularly, each student will be able to remain informed on all aspects of university relations.

Tip six: invest in a planner or utilize calendars.

Whether color coding every detail of your life or inputting tasks on Google, finding the time management tool best for you will help you keep track of your assignments, work shifts, class times, social events and deadlines.

Skylar Anderson, a writer and researcher for StudyRight, outlined four benefits of planning out your semester.

According to Anderson, planning will keep stress levels even throughout the semester, raise your grades, give you more free time and allow you to take time for yourself.

Whatever your goals are this coming semester, taking the time out to find the resources needed to accomplish your goals will not only aid your ability to succeed this semester but have fun doing it.