10 Things Students Should Do to Get Ready for Fall Semester
You must pack up your fall clothes. If you're a photography enthusiast, then you must practice your photographic techniques. And don't forget to update your social media accounts. This is far from serious business, which is how you handle the fall semester. But you would get there.
Getting ready for the first year in university is not the same for everyone. For one, up-and-coming students of the English Department may have that "I can't believe I'm reading this post" expression after they finish reading this piece. (They must browse on the classics that they have read before. They would be torn on what books to bring to the dorm. And they check the online dictionary one more time.) The soon-to-be freshmen, who would pursue a dual degree, may look at it with disdain. New beginnings mean hope, where there's something to look forward to. And the fall semester could be the one.
The fall semester is a crucial period of the term, as your performance could set the tone for the rest of the year. If you don't adjust to the rigors of the coursework right away, then you could encounter problems during the cold month of December. The paperwork and tests may come in rapid succession, and you may hardly sleep at all. Social life must take a backseat, which should be a bummer. After all, you need friends during this challenging time. The more, the merrier (or so you think). You're about to go through a short list, which should help you get off a good start during your first week on college.
It's Time to Face the Music
Acquaint with your roommate(s). This might cost you a good night's sleep, as you wonder whom you share your room with. (If you're a picky kind of teenager, then this may turn into a serious problem.) You may not have any control on which students whom you want to share your (roomy) existence, but you could ease your worries (and theirs). Show your initiative by inviting them to a Facebook group. (You could include your dorm mates.) Talk about the appliances. (A microwave could save you lots of dollars in the long run.) And create a checklist on what you would need during the term. Make sure that the fridge is big enough for the cans of beer and slices of (cold) pizza, though.
Say hello to hermit days (by bringing lots of books). This could make you depressed for days, as you bid farewell to the sunshine and getting accustomed to cold air blasting from the air conditioner in the library. This is how you save the money that is supposed to be spent on books. You must be resourceful on this one. (E-book is an option, but you've been warned about your eyesight.) In other words, you must schedule your visits to the library. There's nothing wrong about buying books, which would be more convenient for you. If you want to make more (new) friends, then you can lend those books to younger coursemates.
Check out the syllabus. It would be foolish of you to do this thing during the first week of the term. You must be a brilliant novelist in the making if you skip this one.
Join a new club. You should have a short list of college clubs that you're interested, which would help you gain new friends in a very short time. If you have a hobby (and want to meet like-minded teenagers), then don't think twice. It could help you deal with the stress (brought by the demands of the coursework).
Make yourself feel at home (in the dorm). It would be odd if you don't decorate your room (or your side of the room). Familiar things should make the transition (to college life) less difficult than you suspect at first.
Have an accomplishment journal. This may seem silly, but it's not. No accomplishment is too small for a celebration. List everything (including the days when you get off the bed when you don't feel like it). Keep looking at the list. It should give you satisfaction, as well as making you confident in tackling challenging tasks. One of those would be an essay of several pages.
Do an estimate on your budget. You must not put this off for another day, if not ignore it entirely. A strain on your budget could affect your focus on the coursework. Likewise, splurging would have serious consequences. If you're a beneficiary of a scholarship, then you should do yourself a huge favor (by setting aside a fraction of your money for paying off the loan).
Have your calendar ready for use. Another item that must be prioritized, as it should give you a reminder of the things that must be done immediately. If your studies overwhelm you, then look at the calendar. Again.
Test yourself. The bulk of the coursework would lie on paper writing. You may have impressed your tutor with your admissions essay, but you had all the time. Time would run fast (in college), but don't panic. Yet. Try to compose an essay on a subject matter that you fancy most. Apply the rules of literary criticism.
Make up your mind. You must be aware of your study habits, of what time of the day you could concentrate on your studies. If you don't, then read a book. (It doesn't have to be a part of the reading list, which you might know by now.) You can figure out if you stay wide awake (or get sleepy).
This One is for the English Majors
Students heading to the English Department must be better prepared for the fall semester. They are required to see some films, which should help them in writing about a particular text. They might not have the time for viewing, so it would be better to watch it ahead. (And their professors would be impressed.) And they must learn to read fast. The latter seems impossible, but they must try. And they should think that they can do it.
If you happen to be an up-and-coming B.A. English student, then learn to be cheerful. You should need it during colder days.
