Hey y’all!
As this week comes to an end, I’m faced with quite the dilemma – I start the spring semester of my sophomore year of college in a week! WHAT. Where did these past three weeks go? More importantly though, how do I mentally prepare myself to be stressed out 24/7 once again? Thankfully, I was blessed with the super power of organization or else I’d be spending these next few days underneath my comforter with a tub of ice cream, a spoon and my tears. However, I am truly aware that not all of us are the most organized people in the world (trust me, it is an acquired trait to most, including me) so pull up a seat and grab your pens & pencils because we are diving head first into SFS 101 or rather, “Stress Free Semester: The Basics”.
Tip #1: PLAN, PLAN, PLAN. (& when you don’t feel like planning, plan even more!): Honestly, do it. One of my smartest investments was in a planner. I write down everything it it – from small reading assignments to my finals to game days and date nights. NOTHING, I repeat NOTHING, gets left behind. Did I mention that I always have it on hand because if dates get moved and modified, I always have it with me so I’m always ahead of the game. Trust me on this one guys, it’s a total lifesaver.
Tip #2: Have a designated study area and make it a habit of only studying there: Whether it be your desk or a study lounge or the library, have a place (or places) that you associate cracking open the dusty books in your desk at. I personally study best at my desk because I have everything I could possibly need to help the process within an arms reach. Also, please beware of the “bed trap”. I know you guys are probably like, “what on Earth is she even saying?” and trust me, I get it but you probably have never heard of the infamous “bed trap” because honestly, I just made it up. However, it is a very real phenomenon – STUDYING ON YOUR BED HARDLY WORKS. You associate your bed with sleeping or relaxing, not focusing and learning. So, unless you have a designated study bed, I doubt that will be a great idea. But hey, you can always hang out on it during study breaks!
Tip #3: If you need help, don’t hesitate to get it: I know personally that it is so frustrating trying to learn something that looks like a whole different language to you. The good thing is that there are so so so many resources out there that can help you decipher even the hardest material. Whether you ask your teachers/professors directly, go to review sessions, ask a friend or look online, you are bound to figure out whatever is holding you back. Also, DO NOT WAIT TILL THE LAST MINUTE TO DO THIS. If you are struggling with a concept, figure it out as soon as possible because you do not want to spend the night before an exam relearning rather than reviewing. Lastly, it is not “embarrassing” or a “shot to your ego” if you have to seek help – it’s actually quite the opposite. I would much rather be able to understand the material and get a higher grade than put up a front when I’m really struggling and get marked down. Trust me, getting help will benefit you and (for the most part) only you.
Tip #4: Always attend class, be prepared and ready to learn: C’mon guys, this really shouldn’t have to be on this list but unfortunately it is so easy to skip class (especially in college) and find distractions that divert your attention from learning. The truth of the matter is that, for the most part, class material builds off of previous lessons so skipping can throw you into the deepest part of the ocean with an anchor tied to your ankle. You don’t have to physically skip class to not be there either; zoning out, online shopping or browsing social media is not going to help you pass your finals or learn anything. Classes tend to only be an hour long anyway so just make it a goal to be there, learn the material and be on your way. (Unless your truly sick – then please be courteous of others and stay home and let your body rest. This is the ONLY exception)
& Lastly, Tip #5: Sleep well, eat well and well, drink lots of water: I know you guys are secretly wondering why I am including this and while it may not seem like it is directly correlated to being a less-stressed student, it is. The better you take care of yourself, the less stressed you feel and the happier you’ll, most likely, be. Sleep helps your body regulate itself, fight germs, and your mind processes what you’ve learned while you are catching those Z’s so DO NOT take it for granted. I promise that as beneficial as pulling an all-nighter sounds, you’ll be struggling the next day and your mind will be cloudy and groggy (been there, done that). Also eating all the right things for your body are a must, just Google “brain food” and you’ll find a whole new world of snacks that can actually help you focus better and process information more efficiently. A greasy slice of pizza always sounds like a good idea but, then again, so does a degree.
So there you have it! These are the top 5 things I swear by throughout each new semester and I hope you all will come to find that they are some solid pieces of advice. Stress is something that we all have to deal with but if we are able to combat it just a little bit then we are left with a world of difference. As for organization and study tips? We’ll tackle that in the next lesson.
Thank you for sticking around with me and until next time, happy studying!
Love always,
-Hay ☼
Great tips! Will honestly use these for semester 2 🙂 xx
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Yay, so excited you found these helpful! 🙂
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Thank you for posting! ❤
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Really helpful tips and your dog is the cutest xx
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Aw thanks so much! She’s definitely spoiled!
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Aw. I have a cat so that’s my study buddy xx
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Great tips. Your writing and blog photography is brilliant, too! I can’t believe how great your blog is with it being so new :).
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This made my entire day! Thank you so much, it’s so nice to know that my hard work is paying off! 🙂
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It’s definitely noticeable and I’m super glad I get to see it all progress from the start :).
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YAY, so excited to be blog friends and support each others journey!
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I love this!! I’m a sophomore too so this definitely comes in handy! By the way, your dog is precious!
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Aw, blog friends 🙂 Thank you! She’s so so so spoiled but she misses me when I’m off at school. 🙂
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Hey, I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger award! xx
https://paperclipsandpins.wordpress.com/2016/01/10/the-versatile-blogger-award/
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Aw, thank you so much! These kind of posts make me so happy, I’ll get it up next week! 🙂
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No worries! And sounds good 🙂
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I really loved reading this! Your have some great tips and I definitely agree with all of them 🙂 Bo xoxo
meetmeinmelford.blogspot.co.uk
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Thank you so so so much! I’m so happy you enjoyed this! 🙂 Can’t wait to keep up with each other!
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Next fall I’ll be starting my freshman year of college and these will be so helpful! I’ve honestly never thought about the “bed trap,” but it makes sense! I’ll definitely be studying at my desk from now on.
Kayla
http://inthepursuitofpreppiness.wordpress.com
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Aw, I’m glad I can help and I’m excited I get to keep up with your journey! College is definitely an experience and I love it so much. Trust, my bed got the best of me in high school, I had to make sure to fix that problem real quick! 🙂
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These all sound so accurate! I always leave it if I’m stuck and just hope I’ll figure it out in time!
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That’s what I used to do too but it’s so much easier to actually learn it. Especially when concepts build off of each other 🙂
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Yeah! You have some super good plans!
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Good luck with your semester! Love your stationary and awww study buddy is adorbs! I’ve done tag post, good questions!
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Thank you so much! I’m so excited to read more from you! 🙂
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Good luck on your spring semester! I just graduated in may and am applying to med school so I know how tough school can be at times! So glad we became blog friends!
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Thank you! Late congratulations and good luck with med school, you’re crazy! I wish I could do it! Blog friends are the best friends 🙂
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Great tips, I loved reading them! ❤
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Thank you so much for your support! 🙂
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Such great tips, I definitely agree with the first one about using a planner! I always buy one at the beginning of the year and end up forgetting about it, going to try so hard to keep mine up this year haha! x
http://sarahpratley.com/
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I couldn’t live without mine! 🙂 Thanks for reading! 🙂
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Loved this post, and loved the photos xx
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Thank you so so so much. I LOVE your support! 🙂
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Its okay!!:):)
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Good luck this semester!
#4 demonstrates that some things never change 🙂
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Hahaha, it’s so easy to not go when attendance isn’t even taken! 😦 Thanks for reading though!
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You´re right! My pleasure. I´m looking forward to reading more 🙂
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Same for your blog! Blog friends are always good friends to have! 🙂
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Thank you! Count on me, my friendly-yellow-blogger 🙂
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Hey! i nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award. 🙂 Make other bloggers day and nominate 15 other great blogs.
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Thank you so much! I’ll be on this ASAP!
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Great post ! 🙂
http://alifyalifestyle.com/
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Thank you so so so much! 🙂
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Ur welcome love!
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I’m all the way in Australia so the school schedules are very different, BUT I am starting High School in Febuary and I reaaaalllyy needed organisation tips. I am not as gifted as you in that area lol! Thanks so much for this post, I really needed it!
Hasty xx
nearlyaprincess.wordpress.com
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I’m glad you could find something useful in this post! I’ll definitely be posting about organization soon! I can’t wait to keep in touch with you 🙂
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Thanks, me too 🙂 and look forward to your many new posts to come! Xx
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You are simply wonderful, I can learn lot from you though I am not a student.
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You don’t have to be a student to learn. 🙂
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Yeah true !
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These are some really good tips! Thank you so so much for sharing them and I’ll be hopefully using some of them soon 🙂
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Yay, I’m happy you’ve found a use for them! I can’t wait to keep in touch with each other! 🙂
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Aww that planner is the cutest!! And such lovely post ❤
https://aspoonfulofnature.wordpress.com/
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Thank you so much! I love decorating everything I own with stickers so naturally my planner is also decked out in them! I’m happy you enjoyed! 🙂
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I’ve nominated you for the One Lovely Blog award! https://notcapulet.wordpress.com/2016/01/14/accolades-one-lovely-blog-award/#more-1662
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Aw, yay! I love these! I’ll be doing it very soon! Thanks for the nomination, doll! 🙂
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You’re very welcome, can’t wait to read it! X
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Nyc post. I like reading those tips coz I follow those. Till now I kept on wondering ‘Am I the only one doing this? lol
Yeah, surely now I have enough reasons to keep sticking to those habits.
🙂 good work
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Thank you so much! As long as what you’re doing for yourself is beneficial to you, then there is no harm done doing it. I’m very happy that I’m not the only one following these tips though! I’m happy you enjoyed!
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yeah rightly said.
Idk y, in our generation, people feel that they shouldn’t be doing these if they are cool .
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I definitely agree with all of these- especially a designated study area. Lol the bed it definitely not one:) Good luck this next semester! -Lauren
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I love my bed to work on my blog and relax in but if I tried to study in it I would be in such bad luck! I’m happy you stopped by! Can’t wait to keep in touch!
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Amazing post. You’ve covered some really great points there. Even I feel that a designated study area helps tremendously.
And your dog is so cute. What’s her/his name?
Have a great day!
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Thank you so much! I love that people agree with these tips! It makes me feel so happy that I decided to share them! MY dogs name is Lucy and she’s so spoiled! 🙂 Thank you for reading!
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Lucy is a cute name. And aren’t we all spoiled 😉 I’m a dog lover and seeing your adorable Lucy just made my day! 🙂
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Where did you get that monogrammed deer decal??? That is just too cute and I think I need one for my computer too!
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I ordered it off of Etsy! The shops name is HornesMonogramming! I love it so much, glad you do too! 🙂
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Thank you so much for the reply! I will be ordering one for myself. I appreciate it when bloggers actually reply and I’ve definitely added you to my followed list! 🙂
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I love interacting with you guys! It’s my favorite! Thank you so much, you’re such a sweetheart! 🙂
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