YouAlberta
Ready or not, we’ve made it to a new semester! Most new things bring a bundle of emotions, both positive and negative—a new semester is no different. The winter term begins with significantly less of a break than the fall term, meaning that January can be a particularly difficult month. I’ve routinely dreaded a new semester having been anxious about beginning new courses, recurring dreams about mixing up classroom numbers included. A time of transition is daunting, but it doesn’t need to be dreadful; it can even be, dare I say, exciting! To counter the beginning of term anxiousness, I offer you a collection of tips to keep in mind. For those who are not too eager about this time of year, this article is for you.
Say “Hi” to your syllabi (see what I did there?)
An eClass filled with all new course pages can be an overwhelming sight. To tackle the onslaught of a semester’s worth of deadlines, sorting through your syllabi is key. The earlier you consolidate all your deadlines, the harder it will be to lose track of them. Because deadlines can be subject to change, I'm partial to an online calendar to lay out my semester. Having your semester at a glance gives you the opportunity to make sure you are prepared for your upcoming workload. Moving to a more micro scale, consolidating your individual classes and their due dates onto individual pages is another sure way to get a better sense of your semester. Not to mention, few things are more cathartic than crossing out each assignment as you complete them.
Allocate time for enjoyment in your schedule
As much as we may hear it, it truly is often the little things that bring the most joy to a stressful time. Debriefing your winter break and talking about your new semester with friends and classmates is a great way to remember that you’re not alone in any new-semester anxiousness. Allocating time for catching up with friends is also a great way to find some balance between academic and non-academic life. While I’ll always be a proponent of human connection, I equally endorse even the slightest investment in stationery and other school-related items. Is this my way of condoning my reliance on pretty stationery? Maybe. But think of this: how much more tolerable is an 8 AM lecture with a fresh gel pen?
Embrace uncertainty as a part of the process
Your semester may not be going as you thought it would. A course description can only tell you so much and you might have had to adjust your schedule more than you would have expected. This is normal! The process of dropping a class can feel defeating; however, it’s commendable to recognize what isn’t working for you and make adjustments accordingly. Times of transition are inherently unpredictable, which can, in turn, be anxiety-inducing. Difficult as it may be to get through the growing pains of a new semester, being kind to yourself during this time and being proactive when you can will pay dividends—your end-of-the-semester self will thank you!
