Coming back to school may be extremely overwhelming, especially if you spent your summer relaxing. Summer is often utilized as a time for growth, whether that comes in the form of leisure or working. The time off school is the opportunity to renew oneself, however, once school comes along, it is extremely difficult to adjust back into it. Some students have issues with coming back into momentum, some get lost in their own journeys, others are suffering other battles such as anxieties about their performance. However, there are steps you can take to alleviate some of those stressors.
A big reason for the difficulty transitioning from summer to fall is the adjustment. You probably got used to waking up later, staying up talking to friends, socializing, and being outside all day. Suddenly, you are thrown into a schedule that requires you to wake up at 6 am, being stuck in a room for hours, and switching socialization with friends to getting to know your textbooks. It’s objectively not as fun! However, just because you are in school, does not mean you should abandon all the things that make summer fun. It is a matter of alternating your schedule and getting your priorities down. No one is telling you that you must shut yourself out from having fun. Time management and preparation is key in this aspect. If you keep up with our blogs, you may have an idea about what time management is. According to Mind Tools, time management is organizing and planning your time to accommodate different activities(n.d.) By doing this, you not only lessen the burden of your tasks, but also allow yourself to be more productive without the extra stress. One great way to manage time is through investing in a planner, or even utilizing free tools such as Google Calendar. You can plan out your schedule the day you receive the syllabus. That way, you can spread out your tasks instead of cramming a paper the night before it is due. You then allow yourself to prioritize what should be done quicker vs what can be put on the back burner for the time being.
Another huge stressor is the fear of falling behind. This directly translates to the point above about time management. There are steps to take to prevent the snowballing of falling behind. Mayo Clinic notes that developing a good sleep routine helps students to stay on track(2023). The key to good sleep is consistency. You may think that staying up to study helps you get a better grade, however, cutting down on sleep impairs cognition. You may end up doing worse due to lack of focus from the little sleep. By creating consistency, you allow your body to get used to the routine and mentally prepare for sleep time. Additionally, eating breakfast is another way to stay on track. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for a reason, it prepares you for the hours to come. By fueling your body everyday, you wake up your system and give yourself fuel. Lastly, review what the expectations are for class and implement them as soon as possible. Syllabi are often given before the start of school. By skimming through them, you can better manage your time and divide your attention as needed. You then can thus, divide up your work leading up to a huge assignment, rather than save it all for the weekend before.
Of course, if things seem overwhelming despite you trying your hardest, reaching out to others is always a great option. GW has great options for counseling and clinical resources that are very affordable. Sometimes it helps to talk to an objective professional who can provide you with the tools to work through tough times. Students today have a bunch of stressors that were not there years ago, whether it be a difficult job market, ongoing health crises, or rising costs of living. It can also help to understand what lies ahead. Many students have anxiety due to not being able to conceptualize what they are learning. Join us on September 22nd for our panel about the transitioning from university life to the workforce, from 2:15-3:15. It may provide some peace of mind if the school year brings some anxiety revolving around what comes next! A new school year is a new beginning. You have the opportunity to change bad habits, figure out what your trajectory will be, perhaps even prepare to go off into the “real world.” Luckily, GW has many resources to learn more about career paths and allows you to test the waters before you make a commitment. Join us on our Speed Career Advising Event on Friday, September 22nd from 11AM-1:30PM to get a chance to explore some options. Being in school lets you explore who you are and learn more about yourself! Let’s try to make this a productive academic year.
Sources
Mind Tools Content Team. (n.d.).What is Time Management? Mind Tools. https://www.mindtools.com/arb6j5a/what-is-time-management Wolf, J. (2023). Helping students adjust to school. Mayo Clinic Health System. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/back-to-school-tips-to-help-students-adjust
