As a student, new year resolutions aren’t made in January, but in August. As the advent of Fall semester comes around, so do promises of self-improvement (like finally nailing Lucy Hale-level brows, perhaps). Aside from solidifying some obnoxious tan lines at the pool, my last weeks of summer are devoted to devising master plans for making the upcoming school year “the best one yet.” The secret ingredient to making all of my dreams come true? My weekly agenda. An agenda is the magic wand to conquering stress and making it to every (worthy) party without skipping a beat. Bippity boppity boo, bitch! Welcome to your most epic school year yet.
Your stomach shouldn’t be growling
First thing’s first: survival. If this is your first time living on your own, make sure you know how to feed yourself. One perk of joining Greek life is getting two meals a day, five days a week. Lunch and dinner are typically served at the same time every day at sorority and fraternity houses, so you can easily work your schedule around grazing hours. Of course, if brotherly love ain’t your thang, prepare to tie on the apron straps. Find a handful of recipes that work best for you and get your Martha Stewart on. It can be especially helpful to cook up portions large enough to last a couple days at a time so you can grab left-overs on your way to the library. Don’t know the first difference between pepper and paprika? Consider asking for a cook book this Christmas.
Your Google search has all the answers
Instead of choosing classes based on their title (I promise, a course called “What Is the Good Life?” is not nearly as cool as it sounds), be sure to scope them out on the web first. You’re likely to find class syllabi that haven’t changed in decades. Doing a little research will help to cultivate a schedule that’s just right for you. If you hate writing and public speaking, steer clear of syllabi that call for weekly 500-word essays and solo presentations. If you love working with others, look out for syllabi that prioritize class debates and group projects. It’s easy to opt for a course with the lightest load, but going for one whose weekly assignments seem genuinely intriguing to you will make for a more impactful semester in the long run.
Your schedule should resemble the yin yang
College—and life—is all about balance. Pay attention to what days (and what times of the day) you’re signing yourself up for. Shoot for a mix between busy mornings with free afternoons and vice versa. Getting those painful lectures out of the way at 7 a.m. on Wednesdays can be rewarded with Ladies’ Night in the evening. And when you know you don’t have to be anywhere until 4 p.m. on Thursdays, you can spend the morning taking up that kick-boxing class you’ve had your eye on, or recovering from said Ladies’ Night (let’s be real). Any way you slice it, variety is truly the spice of life.
Your online class is your new best friend
Registering for a class online is one of the greatest treasures your weekly agenda can bestow upon you. Sure, you’ll still be responsible for keeping up with assignments but they’ll get done on your own time and in your PJ’s. Having one less place to be at a certain time every week will give your schedule flexibility. Plus, you’ll be able to replay lecture videos of your nerdy professor stumbling over her words and cracking lame jokes for your roommates. But the absolute best part of the online lifestyle? It’s a surefire way to score class-free Fridays. God bless technology.
Your campus bus is actually a royal carriage
It took me two years to discover the beauty of public transportation. Not only does the bus save me at least 30 minutes of walking, I no longer have to take three showers a day after trudging through the September heat. Taking a 5 to 10 minute joy ride means getting to catch up on your assigned readings, throw flirtatious eye-darts at the cute dude across the aisle AND make it to class on time. The rest of the dreadfully unaware student body will continue to walk through your exhaust fumes. And that is precisely what makes them peasants. Wave on, Queen B. Wave on.
Your shit really gets done on the weekend
In high school, fun was saved for the weekend. In college, the club is going up on a Tuesday, as well as Wednesday, Thursday and pretty much every day of the week. Going out on a “school night” might take some getting used to, but after some practice, your biological clock will begin to expect Natty Light at 10 p.m. Tis the college way, my friend. Unless you’re immune to FOMO, plan on going out throughout the week and save catching up for lazy Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
