GETTING A JUMP ON FALL
Whether you are a high school student facing your first year at college, or a grad student preparing for your fall classes, or a summer session student getting everything done before exams in five weeks, or are living your life non-academically but in anticipation of taking courses this fall, this blog is for you.
No matter what your academic stage is at the moment, if you are enrolled in classes this fall, you can get a jump on the year this summer. Sometimes just a few steps now save a lot of hassle this fall. I like the Cambridge Dictionary definition for getting a jump on something or someone: to start doing something before other people start, or before something happens, in order to win an advantage for yourself.
I want my clients to have that advantage this September. You might not have time or resources to do everything on the list, but whatever you do tick off the list this summer is pure bonus this fall.
In no particular order, here are some do-aheads:
Visit your campus if this will be your first term there. Or look at a 3D Google map if you can’t physically visit. Know where your classes are, if you are registered in your courses.
Investigate what student success resources are available. Examples could be exam workshops, writing workshops, peer tutoring, counselling, health.
What administrivia can you do ahead of time? You can save hours if you look after some necessary administrivia now instead of waiting until the physical, online, and phonelines jam up the first week in September by
- Registering for courses
- Getting your student ID, if you can be on campus
- Getting parking and/or a student bus pass
- Registering for any financial assistance for tutoring, coaching, computers
- Applying for any disability or other accommodation you require, getting forms, interviews, and medical documentation scheduled.
Review your course list. Print out your schedule.
Read course syllabi if they’re available.
Note special requirements such as registration in online access to publications. Check out your instructors’ backgrounds and interests. You’d do this if they were going to be your boss on a job. Well, . . .
Find out what services a librarian can do for you? What specialized services are available for your field of study? The business research services available to Haskayne Students at the University of Calgary, for example, and the help in using them are almost unimaginable. Students who use them have a decided advantage over those who don’t.
Shop ahead and shop smart for supplies.
Academic: If your budget allows it, shop now to save the September price spike on pens, paper, tablets. But shop wise. There may be specific requirements for some courses, so check the syllabi.
Life: If you’re moving into residence or an apartment, what will you need in terms of bedding, towels, curtains, lamps, kitchen, bathroom, study? Make a list and shop smart.
Extracurricular.
What clubs and volunteer groups, from charitable to service to singing to recreation to . . . can you look to for fun, for academic rounding, for future career gain?
The list goes on–add what comes to mind as you review your school websites and the information they have sent you.
The take-home here is that Cambridge point about advantage. Getting a jump on the term will save time, hassle, frustration, and money. It is also about gaining an advantage available to everyone — but only to those who take it. It may not be fair, but the students who do have a clear advantage over those who don’t.
Next week will be specifically for the summer sprinters, who face the challenges of getting 13 weeks into six!
Connect to let me know what you have come up with to gain a head start, and maybe to plan for this fall [email protected] .
The information in this blog cannot take the place of support from your own mental health professional or community health resources. Reach out to them. And IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS, PLEASE DIAL 911.