by Milsy Westendorff
Many of us, if not all, are bummed that the summer is ending. And with the end of summer comes the start of a new school year. Some are new students, beginning their first year at Concordia while others are returning students. Regardless of your status, here are some tips to help you have a successful start to your academic year!
Something that is key to having a good year is prioritizing your academics and school work. Students should not put off their learning in favor of doing other activities. Your studies should always come first.
Forrest Robinson, an Academic Advisor here at Concordia, put it very nicely, saying, “It’s important to prioritize school and make learning fun. Also, having your own study time and not procrastinating helps.”
Having your own study time will help you get better grades and be more successful in your classes. And although studying can be difficult, Concordia offers resources to help students, such as the math lab and peer tutoring, all located in the lower level of Klinck Memorial Library.
Yuvia Almanza, a sophomore, offers her own advice, “I study in quiet areas, where I’m not distracted, such as the library. I can’t study at home.” If you’re like Yuvia, then make time out of your schedule to stay at least half an hour at campus and find a quiet spot where you can study comfortably.
But college shouldn’t be only about studying. Students should try to find a balance between recreational activities and academics. Vicky Carrasquillo, who is going to be a junior in December, says motivation is a big part of having a great year. Motivation is what keeps you going.
One way to get motivated is to be involved on campus. “Joining clubs lets you meet new people and have new relationships and friends that are going to be there for you”, continued Carrasquillo. Making new friends and spending time with them will help distract you from the school work and maybe even help lower your stress level.
I hope these small tips were helpful, and you are able to fully enjoy your time at Concordia. Here’s to a successful first semester!
