It’s time to register for Spring 2009. That means its time to figure out how to pay for another semester, determine which classes to take, and no more free time!
Getting classes figured out and adapting to a new schedule can be very frustrating and stressful. Dealing with stress can be a very difficult trick, but there are a few ways to cope:
1. Get a head start. Putting registration off until the last minute is just asking for disaster. Most professors don’t wait around for a week or two to get started; this is college. Missing the first week because you didn’t get registered in time could mean trouble.
2. Keep up with the homework. Procrastination becomes very easy, especially if a particular assignment isn’t at the top of the “to-do” list. If it gets done at the soonest possible moment, the more time there is to focus on other work, or getting to go grab a margarita … or five.
3. Focus and study. Sometimes it’s very hard to get “in the zone.” If you find yourself restless, go for a jog or cook something. Then sit down and turn off your computer and cell phone and any other distractions that would keep you from focusing. If it’s important, they’ll leave a message.
4. Prioritizing is a must. If all the sudden you find all kinds of things dumped on you, go in order of what is due first. It’s easier said than done. I find myself wanting to do the easier or more fun projects first, which leaves me doing the not-so-fun projects the night before they’re due, dulling down the quality of the work.
5. Try not to plan a vacation in the middle of the semester. Who would do that, I know. My brother just graduated from basic training so my family went to South Carolina. I thought that I had gotten all my work handled before we left … oh no. If you absolutely have to be somewhere, clarify with all of your professors that you’ve gotten all your work, and do it on the way.
6. Do not spend any more money than you absolutely have to. Margaritas may be a temporary stress relief, but the best bet is to not spend it unless you can pay for it with cash; especially in today’s economy. Thinking that you can pay it off after graduation is a very optimistic assumption. You may get a great job, but then you may want that great car, great house, great vacation, etc. It’s easier to just not spend it than to be thousands of dollars in debt later.
7. As hard as it is, don’t party too much. I focus and work on school work all week long, then when the weekend comes, its party time! After all my homework and studying is done, Friday and Saturday nights are beer nights! There has to be some kind of reward for everything you work so hard for during the week. Just for the record, I know that I said don’t spend it unless you can pay for it with cash, but if you have someone to buy you drinks, by all means take them! Bottom line is, don’t get hammered Tuesday night if you have a test on Wednesday morning.
8. Out of everything else, you should just have fun with it. College should be a great experience, and you want to have awesome memories. Balance your work, prioritize, and then think about the future. It will keep you out of financial binds later, and it will help you to do your work more effectively now. One of the best feelings of accomplishment comes from overcoming highly stressful situations.