Tag Archives: New Semester

10 Things to Complete During Syllabus Week

Syllabus week is upon us, which means upperclassmen have returned to campus and freshmen have joined the ranks. While everyone gets back into the groove of the semester, there are several things students — both new and returning — should complete before the end of the first week.

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1. Buy your textbooks and school supplies.
As sad as I am for the summer to end, I always get a rush of excitement whenever I go shopping for school supplies. New pens, notebooks, and washi tape help get me in the organizational groove. I want to stay on top of my schoolwork when I keep myself organized.

2. Fill in your calendar.
After I receive each syllabus from my professors, I add the important dates into my agenda. This gives me a quick glance of when exams are, papers are due, projects need to be finished, etc. I’m able to plan ahead when I see I have a midterm in three weeks. You can find 2019-2020 academic planners on Amazon for relatively cheap.

3. Place a penny on the Marauder statue.
Whether it’s during syllabus week, midterms, or finals, I’ve found that putting a penny on the Marauder statue issues good luck and helps keep me focused on achieving Dean’s List or acing exams. Some people are skeptical whether it helps or not, but pennies haven’t failed me yet.

4. Meet your Resident Assistants.
While living in the residence halls, the resident assistants (RAs) serve as a peer leader and mentor of the floor and building. Developing a relationship with them will make living on-campus and adjusting to college life easier. RAs spend a significant amount of time developing individual relationships with their residents, implementing community-wide programs, and ensuring the residence hall is an inviting environment for all.

5. Contact Learning Services if you’re eligible for accommodations. 
Not everyone will be, and that’s okay! If you know you’re eligible for certain accommodations, whether it’s extended time for an exam or accessibility in the classroom, Learning Services can help. You can learn about the required documentation here.

6. Choose your preferred place to grab food.
There are several eateries on campus, from the Upper Deck dining hall to retail locations like the Anchor and the Galley. Each location offers something different and a wide variety of choices, so pick your poison: pizza or sushi.

7. Find the quickest way to get from class to class.
If you have a class in Stayer and another in Roddy/Caputo, you won’t want to dillydally on your way to class. Those ten minutes between classes fly by when you’re booking it across campus. There will be some trial and error the first few times your classes meet to see which way is fastest. If you’re finding it difficult to arrive on time, talk to the professor and let them know where you’re coming from — some professors dock points for habitual tardiness, but many understand the size of the campus. You can use this map to help navigate the quickest route.

8. Decide how to spend free time between classes.
Do you have a three-hour break between classes on Tuesday/Thursday? There are multiple opportunities across campus for student employment. Whether you get a job on campus or bunker down in the library to get ahead (or catch up) on homework, you won’t have difficulty finding ways to pass the time.

9. Add your Millersville email to your phone.
Professors will use email as their primary method of communication. Adding your Millersville email account to your phone allows you easy access to anything your professors or the University deems important. If you only use a computer to check your email, you might miss updates from ‘Ville Daily or your Department Chair.

10. Download the Corq and Livesafe apps.
The Corq and Livesafe apps are available on both iPhones and Androids. Corq lets you view on-campus events and activities and narrow your search to see events that offer free food or free stuff. You can also see which residence halls are programming. Livesafe connects you with University Police, uses peer-to-peer location tracking to monitor your friends or family, shows where the latest campus incidents have occurred, and has fast access to safety resources.

How To Start Off the Semester Strong and Follow-Through

The spring semester is here Marauders! That means it’s time to get serious and focus. Many of us always say things in the beginning of the semester like, “I’m going to really do well this semester” or “ This is the semester I get a good GPA” , but many of us end up getting burnt-out and quit. It is the honest truth, but I think it is time we stop lying to ourselves and start really trying our best. To help us get that GPA we want or the encouragement to keep going, I made a list of tips on how to start the semester off on a good note and follow through with our goals. I hope everyone has a good semester and excels in their classes!

 

  1. Write down test dates and project deadlines as soon as you get your syllabus

Using a planner to write down important test dates and projects can help you to stay on track in your classes. Writing down important dates can also help to remind you of all the different deadlines you have for each of your classes so you never miss an assignment.

2. Sit near the front of the room in your classes

This may sound weird to you, but sitting in the front of class can help you stay focused and let the teacher know you are serious about the class. This may also give you less temptation to go on your phone or browse on your laptop while the professor is teaching. This is also a way for professor to get to know your name easier.

3. Meet people in your classes so you can all study together or discuss the material and deadlines

Having someone you know in your classes can make them better and make you feel more comfortable. I like to know at least one person in each of my classes that way if I am confused about a deadline or an assignment I can ask them for their help or advice.

4. Study or read your textbook a little each day

Reading your textbook a little each day will give you an insight into what you will be learning this semester and can give you a chance to ask your professor intelligent questions about material. Also, when test time comes around it will make recalling the information easier.

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5. Ask your professor any questions you have or attend office hours

Attending office hours gives you a chance to personally introduce yourself to your professor and gives you a chance to ask them questions you may have forgotten to ask in class. During this time, you can also get help with the material that was taught in class.

6. Find your go- to study space

Each semester I like to find a new space to study for my classes. Having a space where you feel comfortable and focused can help you study better and help you do better in your classes. Some of the best places to study are the study rooms in the library, the quiet floors of the library or the area behind Starbucks.

7. Schedule “me time” every week as a treat to yourself

Give yourself a nice break after a long week of hard work. Treating yourself by doing something you love can make you feel better and make you appreciate all of the time and work your are putting into your life and studies.

Photo courtesy of Canva.

If you have any more useful tips make sure to tweet them and tag us! Our username is @VilleHousing !