Don’t procrastinate. Seriously. I know we’ve all heard this, but that’s because it’s true. Procrastination is an endless cycle of panic, fast work, and grades that aren’t as good as they could be. To get things done, make a schedule for yourself as soon as you know something is going to be due or there will be an exam.
Don’t flunk out. This is a little obvious, but really, humankind has accomplished many much more difficult things than getting a bachelor’s degree. Get your work done, study hard, and graduate.
Develop a studying technique. Everyone is different when it comes to studying. Working with other people may be best for you, or maybe you’re a lover of flashcards. Do you prefer to study in noise or silence? Figure out what works for you and stick to it.
Have a life. School is important (and costs a lot) but that doesn’t mean it needs to completely take over your life. Some people measure success by happiness. Make time for friends and going out—just get your priorities straight.
Get involved. There are tons of clubs on campus. There should be something that lines up with what you like, so join it. Or join three clubs. School-related activities help you meet people and they look great on your résumé. (Hey, we’re in university for the sake of our careers, after all.)
Work towards a goal. Maybe your goal is to attend every lecture this semester. Or maybe it’s to graduate with a 4.0 GPA. Having a goal helps renew your focus and provide motivation. Put your goal on a Post-it note and stick it somewhere to see it every day and remind yourself of what you’re working towards.
Have confidence. Turn in papers that you know are good because you worked hard on them. Leave an exam room feeling good because you knew all the answers. Take all your little successes and remember them when you feel overwhelmed. It’s okay to pat yourself on the back when you’ve done well. You deserve it!
Don’t miss opportunities. UTM provides a lot of opportunities for networking and help finding a future career. Don’t skip events just because your friends aren’t going or there’s a show you want to watch. Put yourself out there and get noticed.
No more all-nighters. Usually, staying up all night before a paper is due or before an exam hurts you more than helps you. You should certainly never have to be in that position. Not only will you be exhausted the next day, but your work won’t be your best. Work a little bit every day before the deadline and then get a good night’s rest. Having more repetitions of what you know is proven to be a better studying technique than memorizing a lot of stuff at once.
Breathe and smile. When school gets stressful (and there’s no avoiding it), it’s good to keep yourself relaxed. Go to the gym and work out some frustration, or even study while you’re exercising. Laugh with your best friend. Take a couple of minutes to just breathe and put yourself in the present. Remember that you will be finished your exam or assignment soon and will be able to relax… at least until the next one.