The start of a new semester in college means you’ll be gaining more knowledge and learning new skills. To keep up with academic challenges and make sure you do well in school, you should think about setting some goals. What are good goals for the start of a semester? Here are a few goals college students should set the to thrive during the upcoming semester:
If you’re involved in clubs and other organizations at school, be careful not to take on too much. Having too many commitments can lead you to become overwhelmed while trying to fulfill them and handle schoolwork. Cut back on your involvement as needed, so that you can stick with your commitments and focus on school. Choose organizations and clubs that you’re more likely to still be involved in later in the semester.
Getting exercise on a regular basis is a great way to keep your energy levels up and stay healthy all semester long. You don’t have to join a gym or do intense workouts to benefit from physical activity. Find ways to exercise that you enjoy so you’ll keep doing these activities regularly. You might go for walks to get exercise and fresh air, lift weights, do stretches, or play a sport. Keep in mind that you can do a few short exercise sessions during the day if you don’t have time to do one long workout.
Your phone can be a big source of distractions when you’re trying to focus on classes, upcoming tests, and school assignments. Set a goal to spend less time on social media throughout the day. You might also work on keeping your phone out of sight, such as when you’re studying, so that you can give school your undivided attention. Cutting back on these distractions can help you better concentrate on classes.
Getting enough sleep is important for your health and well-being. Your brain also needs plenty of sleep, so you’ll feel well-rested for each school day. Get into the habit of going to bed and waking up at the same times day after day. Irregular sleep schedules can make it hard to get a good night’s rest. Having more routine bedtimes and wake-up times can help improve your sleep quality.
You might be enthusiastic about going to class when the semester first starts. Over time, though, you might look for reasons to skip a class here and there. When setting goals for the new semester, you should plan to attend all of your classes. When you’re present in class, you’ll be able to learn new information as it’s being taught instead of trying to learn it on your own later on. Going to class also means you can take notes and ask your instructors questions on anything that might not be clear.
Don’t let studying cause you to become stressed. Instead, take a smart approach to your studies. Come up with study guides to help you stay focused on the material you’re learning and being tested on. Reach out to your peers and professors about your workload if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Your peers and professors should be able to provide advice on handling your studies in a more manageable way.
Being organized can make it much easier to focus on classes and assignments. Keep track of upcoming assignments and tests on a calendar, and make sure you have all your notes and class material organized. Taking the time to organize your schoolwork helps ensure you’ll have assignments and projects completed on time. You’ll also be able to make sure you study when you have upcoming tests and exams on your calendar.
Waiting until the last minute to work on assignments or study for tests can have a negative impact on your academic performance. Procrastinating means you’re taking a risk of losing points for handing projects and assignments in late. Putting studying off until the last minute can also cause you to do worse on tests. Set a goal of avoiding procrastination during the new semester, and work on starting school assignments well before their due date. You should also work on studying for tests a little at a time on a regular basis instead of cramming the night before.
Having long-term career goals can provide you with a way to focus on your schoolwork in the new semester. These goals can help you stay motivated as you think about the kind of work you want to do. Setting these goals for your future can also provide encouragement, so that you do your best on tests and assignments. Keep in mind that you can adjust these goals as needed.
As the new semester starts, prioritize settings aside time to relax. Making time for yourself allows you to reduce stress and focus on something other than school. During these times, you should do an activity you enjoy, such as reading a book, taking a stroll in your area, writing in a journal, or creating art.
Setting these goals and sticking to them can help you enjoy success as a college student each semester. If you’re looking for a college that takes a faith-based approach to learning, please contact Geneva College. We offer several undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
Jan 18, 2022
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