10 Tips For Second Semester

Harley Bowd
Jul 22, 2017 · 4 min read

1. Start Fresh

First semester is well and truly over. The failed relationships and hook-ups of last semester are behind you. If you weren’t the most diligent student at the start of the year, now is your chance to buckle down and work for those distinctions (or credits if you plan on having a life). Conversely, if you studied hard, achieved high distinctions, and worked yourself towards a mental break down, now is the time to analyse your university schedule to find a better balance between your study and social life.

2. Buy Your Textbooks

This tip is mostly commonsense, but it still surprises me how many first-year students don’t realise until their third week that not all of their course readings are available digitally.

Even when textbooks are available as free e-books, hardcopy textbooks do have their advantages. Mainly, printed textbooks allow for much easier highlighting and note taking.

3. Bring a Laptop

No, iPads don’t count. There is nothing more infuriating then attending your first lecture and being unable to access a crucial website due to a lack of touchscreen optimization, or simply failing to bring a device all together because you didn’t think it was necessary. Try to always have a laptop or a 2-in-1 in your bag every day you’re on campus.

4. Carpool

University students are usually broke and this trend isn’t likely to change any time soon. Along with this lack of disposable income comes the ever-increasing transportation costs of getting to and from campus.

Why not carpool? Not only do you get to split fuel costs with your friends, but you also get to spend more time with people whose company you actually enjoy, rather than sitting alone on a bus or train with Spotify drowning out the sound of the outside world.

5. Join the Stupid Clubs

Most student clubs may be lame, but social skills are always of value in the work force. University clubs give you a chance to get out of your immediate bubble of friends and meet new people.

Students in sport, law, and medicine clubs tend to form fairly tight social groups. These clubs can serve as a way to improve your own popularity and to finally get invited to the epic parties you always hear about the day after they happen.

6. Forgo the Backpack

Having a laptop, several textbooks, and a binder in your bag can really take a toll on your back. Instead of a regular backpack, consider taking a travel bag or wheeled backpack. Although definitely not the coolest look, these wheeled bags can end up saving your posture by the end of the first year.

7. Volunteer

“How is my degree relevant?”

“How will this degree get me a job?”

The truth is that your degree is often only necessary to tick a checkbox. Your degree provides you an entry point into your profession of choice. It gets you in the door, but it doesn’t normally land you the job. However, your experience does. How do you acquire experience? Simple, volunteer. I have been shocked at how many students complain about their courses not providing them with real-world experience and yet never consider volunteering their time to one of the many university departments. Many university departments are often underfunded and really value volunteers to help at special events or with administration duties. University staff are also fantastic at providing reference letters or volunteer certificates which look great on a resume.

8. Take Up a Hobby

College and university is a fantastic time for discovering what you are interested in and passionate about. Take up the hobby that you always wanted to but never did. If you never had an interest in taking up a hobby then now is the time to experiment. Take up painting or photography. See if they stick. If they don’t, move on to something else. You can find out as much about yourself by discovering what you don’t like as you can by discovering what you are passionate about.

9. Work Less

This is related to my first point. Balancing work and study can be immensely difficult and a source of significant stress for university students. If you can afford to, take one or two less shifts per week this semester. Not only will this reduce your amount of physical and mental stress but can also help you achieve better grades.

10. Look After Your Mental Health

It isn’t fully appreciated just how prevalent mental health issues are among university students. Many campuses have free mental health services that are highly experienced in addressing the causes of stress and worry experienced by young adults. Campus counsellors are usually kind and compassionate people. There is no shame in dropping into their offices for a chat.

Harley Bowd

Written by

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Communication student.

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