These tips will help you ensure that you make it happen:
#1 Do an early “spring cleaning.” To get your new quarter off on the best foot possible, make a mental list of what things (if any) got mucked up during the winter quarter and then make a list of how you’ll clean it all up in the spring quarter. Do you need to make it to class more often? Take better notes? Keep up on the reading? Study harder for tests? Whatever it is in your case (and everybody has something), now’s the time to make amends and guarantee yourself a better semester this year.
#2 Adjust your attitude. Many students view their courses as hurdles to get over, and hope to find courses that set the hurdles as low as possible. But what would happen if you started to see classes as learning opportunities? Change your mind-set this spring and you’ll be amazed at how much more you enjoy and value college.
#3 Address your “issues.” If you have health concerns that you haven’t gotten under control– physical or psychological (or both)—you’ll have a much better quarter if you face these problems head on right now. Be proactive. Even if you aren’t having a particular difficulty right now, consider problems that could likely crop up later on in the semester (perhaps when you’re under more stress or when the pollen count skyrockets). Who wants to be just starting to look for solutions to long-standing difficulties during the throes of midterms (or, worse yet, finals)?
- Extra Pointer. Berkeley has many resources to help students with a variety of problems (e.g. advising, ASC, counseling services, and the library) and you shouldn’t hesitate to make use of them.
#5 Friend a professor. Studies have shown that the most valuable and memorable learning experiences at college derive from out- of-class interactions with their professors. Luckily, it’s not so hard to connect with a professor. Go to office hours, ask a question after class, send an email, etc. Professors respond best to students who seek them out with a genuine desire to learn (not just with a desire to get a good grade) and with a genuine interest in the course material (not limited to what’s going to be on the exam).
#6 Move outside your comfort zone. This spring try to do something that’s new and unusual for you. Maybe join a club or pursue an extra-curricular interest that you’ve always wanted to try but never gotten around to (perhaps due to fear of the unknown). Learn a new language. Join a study group. Go to some art exhibitions, poetry readings, plays or concerts. A bit of change is good: Not only can it develop new dimensions to your personality, it can help you avoid getting stuck in a rut.
#9 Lighten up. Don’t beat yourself up for mistakes you made in the past. View mistakes as feedback, not as failures. College is a long-term project, and no one mess-up is likely to ruin your life or your chances at a good career after college. Before the spring quarter gets going, take a few minutes to think about all the positive things that happened last quarter, big and small. Believe that even more await you this spring.
adapted from: The Secrets of College Success: Over 800 Tips, Techniques, and Strategies Revealed.