WE’RE BACK! Welcome back Griffins and a warm welcome to our new students. It’s a new school year, and nobody wants to start off on the wrong foot. Eventually, the rush and thrill of syllabi week will come to a close and we will head right back into the grind of dance classes, seminars, and notes galore. Once you start a habit, it’s even harder to break it, so let’s all collectively start it good and right (no falling behind this year). Here are 7 ways you can ensure you start your school year off successfully.
1. INVEST IN YOUR SUCCESS
Do you remember those stickers you never used when you were a kid because you were waiting for the perfect time to use them…and the perfect time never came? Think about this time as the perfect time to get all the school supplies you will use and need. It’s time to use the stickers. Invest some money into the supplies that will make you successful, whether that be nice notebooks and pens, a specific pair of dance shoes or even a new water bottle. If it’s something you enjoy using, you’re ten times more likely to use it.
2. DIGEST YOUR SYLLABI
College syllabi are the best because they literally tell you everything you need to know. Each syllabus lays out expectations of the course, how you can be successful in the class, quizzes and tests, assignments, and overall Marymount expectations. Read each one carefully and make note of important details. Some people create spreadsheets with all their assignments on them, organizing by date to stay on top of things. Making sure you understand the expectations of a course is super important to your success. Professors will typically go over the syllabus the first week of classes, but if you still have questions, contact your professor.
3. START YOUR DAY SLOW
We all get the rush in the morning; we’ve all been there before. When you have class at 8:30 but woke up at 7:30 so you have 30 minutes to pull yourself together and rush out the door…yeah let’s NOT do that this year. Instead, let’s start off slowly. Wake up a little earlier and spend some time just doing things for you. Maybe that means actually getting ready, doing your hair and makeup, or working out. Maybe it’s just sitting and reading with a cup of coffee or taking a walk. Drink a full glass of water and start your days off slowly. Starting your day good sets the tone for the rest of the day.
4. MAKE LISTS
This tip is self-explanatory, but to do lists are essential to success. Having multiple can be helpful too, have one for schoolwork, groceries, household chores, making plans or whatever you need accountability for. There’s something that feels completely electric about checking tasks off a list, it makes you feel accomplished and it gives you a dopamine hit.
5. DISCONNECT TO RECONNECT
While phones are a great way to connect with each other, they’re also addictive. Set some screen time and create some hobbies, or switch from doomscrolling on Instagram or TikTok to Pinterest and Substack. Write, read, sing, dance, workout, craft, whatever it is that keeps your mind sane, do that. Prioritizing your needs will help you reconnect with your people again. And while we all get annoyed when people say phones are frying our brains, it isn’t exactly wrong. Get off the phone and get out of the house.
6. INVEST IN RELATIONSHIPS
Going to college is a change of pace for not only you as a student, but all the people in your life as well. It isn’t completely easy to stay in the know with everyone in your life, so make a conscious effort to check in. Make plans to call, have dinner or do a game night. College is all about making new friends too, it may take a minute to find your people, but go out and meet all the people. Be you from the start and authentic friendships will fall into place.
7. SAY “YES” TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPERIENCES
Unless your gut is telling you it’s a firm “no”, it’s probably just the nerves talking. Say yes to the club meeting, the walk with new friends, the networking event, every opportunity: say “yes”. You don’t know what conversations or spaces could change your life, the key is in the door, you must unlock it. Say yes more often than you say no.
Follow these 7 tips and your school year will surely excel. The Monitor is all about serving your news timely and accurately. Remember to check back with us as the school year progresses, we’ll catch you up on the latest news and stories from our community.
