i need some advice before i start my next semester?

Question

i am about to start my second semester of college and i wanted to ask all of you for some advice. last semester i was going crazy because i couldn't find time for myself and therefore i got burnt out. so i wanted to know if you think it is a good idea to take the weekends totally off. from sat morning to sunday at 7 i don't even think about school. what do you think? any better ideas? thanks

Answer 1

While I think you should def. take some time for fun on the weekends, totally cutting them out before the sem. starts does not seem to be a good idea. You may need some of that time. I think a more realistic goal would be I will take the time to enjoy myself without thinking about school one night every weekend.

After the sem starts, if your class load allows, you can add more time to the "no school" part of your weekend.

Answer 2

You aren't alone--many college students have this problem. And I can tell you the solution in one word: organizeition.

First, your college will have programs available (probably at no charge) that can help you learn time management, organizing, and study skills. Ask around till you find them--but the best place to start is the Dean of students office.

But here's a few tips to start with. First--HIT THE GROUND RUNNING. It's very easy at teh start of the semester, when there's little pressure, to slack off a bit. But that's the best time to get ahead of your reading. Take it easy and you'll find yourself behind--and catching up is always a pain.

Second, take the syllabus from each class and sit down with a calender. By the time you finish the first week you should have a schedule of every test and assignment due date through the entire semester--along with any other important dates. That will enable you to see where you are at a glance and serve as a framework for planning.

Third--term papers. DO NOT WAIT to start them--start now by starting to select a topic. It is VERY tempting to put this off--and come April you will regret it if you do.

But don't forget those time/study management progams--they can teach you the skills to keep yourself organized so you can have time for yourself. But--sorry--taking off weekends is not going to work. That's life at college--at least if you want to make decent grades. Better get used to it. :)

Good luck!

Answer 3

I think that you have to look at a variety of things. First, are you majoring in something that appeals to you, rather than something a parent or other well-meaning person things would be "right" for you? If you're going to college or majoring in a subject for ANYBODY but yourself, you're going for the wrong reason. Next - how heavy is the load you're taking? Freshmen often don't realize what a step it is from high school to college, and assume they can take as many subjects in a university as they did in high school (this is the voice of experience talking, here...!). Stick with a light load at first, even if it means you have to take a course or two in the summer later. Third - I agree that you DO have to make some time for yourself; I found that the best way to do that is to make a study schedule and STICK WITH IT; study every night, not just before a test - cramming may work in the movies, but it's a good way to flunk classes in real life. Stay away from frats for the first year, too; it's great to be liked, but you're there to earn a degree, not to win a popularity contest. The frats will still be there when you're ready, if that's your sort of thing. Hang in there - it's worth it, I promise!!!

Answer 4

Personally, I think it's better to put in some study time most every day. If on the weekends you worked from 11AM - 1PM each day and again Sunday evening after dinner, you really do still have plenty of time on the weekend for yourself (Friday night, sleep in Saturday, Saturday afternoon and night, sleep in Sunday, Sunday afternoon through dinner.)

Perhaps you aren't working efficiently? Are there distractions you can eliminate while you're studying? Do you take good notes and really listen in class? Do you read your assignments, making notes and highlighting/underlining? Do you participate in class, ask questions when you need to, visit with teachers when you need to? Do you get your work done on time? Do you ramp up for test studying vs. cramming? Are you eating/sleeping well and maintaining a reasonable study/party balance? Are you staying physically active (ie sports, general physical activity?)

Perhaps some adjustments to things other than your "study schedule" could be in order. I don't know, just food for thought.

Answer 5

I don't think it is a good idea to take the weekend off, pacing yourself will keeping you from burning out, but if you take the whole weekend off thats good study time wasted and more work you'll have to do during the week. I take 1-2 week nights off each week, and study 1/2 of the weekend. I work full time and attend school full time and it is easy to get burned out, it's all about not doing too much at once.

Answer 6

Won't you get assignments over the weekend -- so ignoring school on weekends will not work. Maybe you need to reassess your work load. R U majoring in the right subject? Have you taken on too many classes? Talk to your school counselor to help you evaluate your situation.

Answer 7

Nah, you'll fail if you take the whole weekend off. Be sure to schedule SOME time for yourself over the weekend. I always tried to give myself one day off every weekend. But you really can't afford to take whole weekends off. If you have MWF classes, you'll never get assignments done for Monday, and you'll probably mess up those classes pretty badly.

Answer 8

i don't think you should COMPLETELY cut it out of your weekends - i mean if you have a big test or project of some sort, you should use your free time on the weekends to work on it.

but, i think it's a good idea if you try to get everything out of the way before saturday and that way you can spend all of saturday and sunday just getting your mental health back to sane. :)