How to Survive the New Semester – Dakota Student

Tips and tricks for success

Welcome students and staff! We have officially erased our first week back in the spring semester.

As a senior and classmate myself, I’ve survived my fair share of grueling semesters. In my opinion, spring semesters are always a doozy. Along the way, I’ve picked up many valuable tips and tricks that have contributed to my success over the past few years. Here is a series of tips that may be useful to all of us as we move through the semester. These are great for new students, long-time veterans of academia, but many of them are just general rules for a successful semester.

  1. To pay attention

Paying attention seems relatively easy. But that means showing up to all of your classes and being there. When you miss classes, you may miss important information or lectures that will help you better understand your course material. Things beyond your control can happen, such as illness, financial or family situations. Of course, your well-being as a student and as an individual is one of the universities’ biggest concerns. Being 100% attentive and present in every class, in reality, is harder than it looks.

  1. To be active

This may involve taking detailed and poignant notes when appropriate. Or it may involve participating in class discussions, presentations, group work and more. It can simply mean socializing and bonding with your classmates. This applies differently to everyone and to each major. For example, an important aspect of being active as an art major involves working on projects several hours outside of class time, because that’s how you can create well-rounded work.

  1. Set your own deadlines

It comes down to developing better time management skills and maybe working ahead of the curve. The best thing you can do is keep yourself on top of homework and try not to save things for the night before an assignment. You may be able to do this by getting organized, as well as building a personalized schedule that works for both you and your course requirements. Keeping a planner of important dates and occasionally reviewing the course schedule could be another surefire way to stay on top of things.

  1. COMMUNICATE

Communication is one of the biggest keys to success. Never be afraid to ask questions or ask for help. Double check or triple check, you are not annoying asking for clarification. Your teachers and advisors are there to help you on your journey to the best of their abilities. Again, you may also be successful in communicating and working with your peers or with those who have already taken the course. This can be said for topics that you may have difficulty with or that might involve getting an outside opinion on your work.

  1. Don’t overdo it

When you start a new semester and choose your courses, it is important to know how much you can handle. Do not take more credits than you know you can handle. Take it easy and remember that you can take a break or slow down a bit. Each may take on different workloads or responsibilities. This does not mean that they are inferior or superior to anyone else. Do what you can and push yourself if you think you are capable of more. It also has to do with your mental health.

  1. Take time for yourself

If your mental health is suffering and you’re dealing with burnout, how can you be successful? By far one of the most important things to focus on is your own well-being and mental health. Set up sensible outings for relaxation, stress relief, or mindfulness. Taking time for yourself involves not only your mental and emotional well-being, but also your physical health. This includes exercising regularly, eating healthy, and having a better sleep schedule. As I mentioned before, there are also various resources the campus has to offer when it comes to mental health and wellness. This includes the UND Counseling Center which offers a variety of services from one-on-one to group sessions, as well as the Wellness Center where you can stay fit while staying mindful.

Demetria Slyt is a student opinion writer from Dakota. She can be reached at [email protected]


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