Summer semester is just around the corner, starting May 23rd for Calhoun. Here are five tips for surviving the summer semester:
- Less time and more work
- Smaller classes, fewer students
- time management: staying on top of your coursework
- communication
- finding balance
Summer semesters are ten weeks instead of the usual sixteen. That means less time and more work at a time when most people want to travel, and relax after a busy year of classes. You have to really want to complete these classes to make it happen. The first thing you need to do is make a plan concerning your vacation, and schedule it around your classwork, and leave time while on vacation to catch up on classwork. Prepare to devote at least one full weekend on catching up on classwork halfway through the semester.
You may have smaller classes with fewer students, but always find a buddy in class. Exchange phone numbers and email addresses you actually use, so you can be in touch throughout the semester. The benefit of having a class buddy is vital, in case you have an emergency, or there is a case where your technology doesn’t work online, you will have a person actually there, if you cannot reach the instructor.
Time management is crucial. You have to stay on top of your coursework. Make you own calendar for the semester and set reminders on your computer or phone to keep you on track. Do NOT procrastinate. Time is not you friend! Do NOT overload yourself with courses. Be sure to look at the course syllabus before you sign up for the class. It might not be what you think it is, and it might be more in-depth than you thought. Former professor Doctor Robert Murphree of Athens State used to tell students, “mismanagement on your part is not an emergency on my part.”
Finding balance in your life makes it easier to succeed. The goal is to finish the course and make a good grade, so that you comprehend what you are trying to achieve, instead of just going through the motions to finish the course. Keeping a calendar to keep list everything, and having a course buddy will be important to keeping you on track. You need somebody to keep you committed to your assignments. Find a way to reward yourself, maybe not during the course, but at the end of the course, to feel like you have made an accomplish. Do the reward with a friend, or buddy, or family. Reward them for being patient with you.
If you do all these things, you will be prepared for the short term summer semester. Trust in yourself, believe in yourself. You can do!