Tips for Starting the Semester

Some of my favorite ways to prepare for a successful semester include printing lecture notes, communicating with professors, and meeting classmates. Many professors post lecture or power point notes on D2L, or now Canvas, at the beginning of the semester. I find it best to print off any notes available as early as possible. Look over the next lecture's notes before you actually go to lecture. Things will make a lot more sense, and you will already have some questions in mind that the professor will probably answer in class. In addition, I like to take handwritten notes directly on the lecture notes I have printed out. You remember things better when you write them down by hand. Talk to your professors, especially in person. They like to match a face to a name. Professors are incredible resources and can lead to references, internships, or jobs. Visit during office hours, because most students don't, and your professor will remember that when it counts. Get to know your classmates as well! You never know when you might miss class and need to catch up on what you missed. Also, you're going to see your classmates around campus, and it will be much nicer to say hi to each other as opposed to awkwardly ignoring one other. Plus, you might have more classes together, or you could become best friends.

Photo of students studying. Wikimedia.