How to Get Ready for a New School Year: 5 Things to do Before August

Getting ready for a new semester can feel overwhelming, especially after a few months of freedom. Between late nights, relaxed routines, and a messy room from packing, it's easy to feel behind before the semester even starts. But don't worry! Taking a little time to prepare now can make the first week and beyond seem less stressful. From getting your steps back in to setting goals for the semester, these five simple tips will help you start the school year organized, refreshed, and ready for whatever life throws at you.

Start Walking More

During the summer, you probably will forget how big the campus is, and your step count significantly decreases in those three months. One thing you can do to get back into the flow of being on campus is to start walking each week. Auburn is hilly, and your classes might be far apart. You don't want to be dying the first day of class when you have to walk 3 miles in the 85° heat. Starting with something as simple as the treadmill on an incline can help rebuild your endurance, and after a while, you can walk outside to get used to the heat. Any preparation is better than none. So go and get your steps in!

Reset your Sleep Schedule

When you have all the free time, you stay up late and sleep late- the dream! However, this probably isn't ideal when you have 8AMs three days a week in August. As summer comes to a close, take the time to reset your sleep schedule to be ready for the semester. If you normally go to bed around 1 a.m., try to aim for 11:30-12. This is not a huge change, but it's enough to get your body back into routine. You don't have to set an alarm at first; just adjusting your bedtime will make you wake up a little earlier than before. Once it gets closer, set an alarm to at least get used to waking up to one. Starting the year off well-rested is the best way to continue getting good sleep.

Clean Out Your Bookbag

Over the summer, your bookbag probably collected dust along with random papers thrown in that you thought you might need. Before the semester, take some time to clean it out and start fresh for the year ahead. Go through each pocket, toss what you don't need, and reorganize your supplies. This is also the perfect opportunity to get new pens, notebooks, sticky notes, and even a new pencil pouch. Work to set up different compartments for folders, notebooks, and chargers, and your future self will thank you. Walking in on the first day knowing where everything is will help minimize your stress and keep you calm amid the back-to-school chaos.

Organize your Digital Life

I always say I want to make a spreadsheet for my assignments, but it never happens. Honestly, starting it before the semester could be the game-changer on whether it happens or not. Organizing your laptop, notes, and drive can help you prepare for success. Creating separate folders on your laptop for assignments and lecture notes can make future homework and studying easier to access. You can also go back and delete files that you do not need anymore to free up some storage to prepare for classes. Once courses are posted on Canvas, you can download extensions to make them pretty! BetterCampus offers themes and features, like to-do lists, to help you feel more organized. So much of our school is online, so it is important that what we use is performing at its best.

Set Some Goals for the Semester

A new semester is a great time to set some goals, both for school and for yourself. Take a moment to think about what you want to achieve in the next few months. Maybe you want to reach a certain GPA, join a club, or stick to a workout routine. Write your goals somewhere you'll see them often, like your planner or phone, to help you stay on track. Doing too much will make you inconsistent, so pick a few realistic ones to stick with. Check in with yourself every few weeks to see how you're doing and make changes if needed. Having a plan from the start makes it easier to stay motivated and avoid putting things off.

Starting over doesn't have to be stressful. Doing small things now will make a big difference in the future. The key is consistency and planning. The more you do now, the less you have to worry about later. So take a deep breath, check off these prep steps, and walk into the new school year confident and ready to succeed!

Be Well, Auburn.