How to Put Yourself In the Best Position to Go Through Recruitment
Being three weeks into the semester, the initial excitement of new classes, campus life, and academic challenges can begin to fade, leaving more room for stress and lost motivation. However, at this point in the semester, your commitment and determination can make all the difference between a successful semester and a stressful one. Suppose you are considering going through Formal Recruitment in the Spring. In that case, it is essential to put yourself in the best mental and academic position to contribute to the organization you may run home to. Whether you’ve been sailing smoothly so far or have encountered a few bumps in the road, this blog post provides tips and strategies to keep you on course toward a successful semester that will put you in the best position to go through Formal Recruitment.
Tip #1: Time Management
One of the fundamental keys to a successful semester is effective time management! Time management is a powerful tool that allows you to make the most of your time, reduce stress, achieve your goals, and lead a more balanced and fulfilling life. Below are some tips from a senior to help you have the most effective time management.
Use a Planner Or Online Calendar and PLAN AHEAD
Physical planners and online calendars are a great way to stay organized, plan ahead, and manage your time effectively. If you prefer physical planners, it is a great idea to write out your assignments for each class in different colors on the calendar section of each month and use the weekly section to plan what you will do each day throughout the week. If you prefer an online calendar, Google Calendar is a great, free resource where you can write out classes, assignments, meetings, or anything else you need to block time out for. With Google Calendar, you can even turn on reminders to remind yourself to attend a class, an event, turn in your homework, or study for a test!
Avoid Procrastination
Procrastination often creeps in when faced with overwhelming or daunting tasks. To avoid procrastination, try breaking down large assignments, projects, and studying into smaller, more achievable steps. This strategy will make your workload feel less intimidating and give you a clear roadmap for progress. Avoiding procrastination early can help you get tasks done quicker, give you more motivation to keep completing tasks, and reduce stress. Completing assignments one day before they are due can also help you stay on top of your work. It can prepare you to adapt if something comes up or you need help with an assignment!
Limit Distractions & Say No When You Need To
As college students, we often face many distractions that can impact our ability to focus on our studies. Some common distractions include social media, our phones, roommates and dorm life, social events, extracurriculars, Netflix and streaming services, the list could go on forever! It is important to only involve yourself in what you can handle so you are still able to carve out time to put your academics first. It is completely okay to set boundaries, be honest and direct, and say maybe or no if you need to! It can be hard to decline an invitation or request, but you can explain your reasoning and let the person know that it’s not a reflection of your interest or appreciation for them. The environment in which you do school work can also have a huge impact on your productivity level. When doing work, make sure to locate yourself in an environment where you can focus so you can get your work done effectively and efficiently.
Stay Healthy and Ask For Help When You Need It
Staying healthy in college is essential for both your physical and mental wellbeing and your academic success! College life can be demanding, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help you manage your time better and stay energized, focused, and balanced. Eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep and exercise, managing stress, and seeking support when you need it can help you to stay healthy and allow you to keep up with the demands of college life!
Tip #2: Use Academic Resources
Being a student at CNU we are privileged with a wide variety of on campus resources to help guide us along our undergraduate journey. Sometimes we may take these resources for granted or not want to expand our horizons but they are there for a reason; for us to use them! So don’t be afraid to get some help if you need it. (p.s. all of these resources are FREE)
Campus Resources
CNU Hall is the hub for most of our campus resources, housing the Center for Student Success and the Center for Career Planning. You'll find the tutoring and writing centers within the Center for Student Success! The tutoring center offers subject-area tutoring for many classes, including individual and group tutoring. The writing center guides you through the stages of the writing process to help better prepare you for college-level writing. It can also help you brainstorm and give feedback on your writing. The Center for Student Success includes success coaching, peer mentors, athletic academic support, and workshops & seminars. The Center for Career Planning is an excellent place to find out what you want your career to look like or start preparing for it. They offer support in writing resumes, CVs, cover letters, etc. Also, if you're unsure about your career plans, they can help you find alternatives to point you in the right direction. You can find more information here:
Office Hours, Office Hours, Office Hours!!
If you haven't been told enough times already, OFFICE HOURS!!! Office Hours are vital to help ensure your understanding in any class. Office hours are the way to go if you struggle to understand a concept, want more precise knowledge, or want to form a stronger connection with a professor. Faculty at our university are invested in our learning and want us to succeed, and they want us to go to them! If their office hours don't suit your availability, you can contact your professor to schedule a time that works for both of you! Again, faculty are invested in working with us and want to see us succeed, so try to take advantage of office hours as much as possible!
Sisterhood Study Sessions
Panhellenic is offering a new resource this year called Sisterhood Study Sessions! This may sound like it's only for sisters, but PNMs are encouraged to attend! The four DSU conference rooms will be turned into a relaxing space for you to study for an upcoming test, finish up some homework, or just connect with sisters that may be in your classes! You can also sign up to participate in the sister-PNM study buddy system where you will get paired with someone in your same area of study and they will act as a mentor for your academics! Sign up here:
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