With coronavirus impacting school this past semester, my list of 10 things you should do before starting a new semester will be a bit different than it otherwise would have been.
- Check to see what policies from your school have changed or been added.
2. Double check to ensure your classes did not get moved to new locations or online.
I don't receive emails if my classes move online or change rooms unless the professor decides to let us know. I have to constantly check my schedule up until the class starts just to be safe. This spring, I had a class switch rooms (although it worked in my favor!) while I was in my class right before on the first day. It was not a good time to see that notification, that's for sure.
3. Clean out your backpack, purse, gym bag, the list goes on.
This one is likely self explanatory, but I'm going to include it anyway. You likely have all new classes (unless you're taking a series or in high school), so you probably won't need much of what was in your bag from last semester. It allows you to take stock of the school supplies you have versus what you need, as well as the chance to lighten the load on your back from taking out all the trash and unnecessary items. I also like to do the same to my purse and workout bags just to be certain I have all the trash removed, and in the case of my workout bags, all the proper equipment, as well as extra clothes.
4. Clean your car and do any maintenance.
Yet another self-explanatory thing to do, but having a clean car really does put me in a better mood. I feel more productive and put together when there's no more dog fur littering the backseat or my brothers' water bottles stuck under my seats. I live in the South, so I use this time to remove the layers of pollen that get stuck to the car exterior despite the fact that it rains basically every day in the summer AND most days in the winter.
I also do car maintenance right before a new semester so I never have to worry about when the last oil change/tire rotation/tire replacement was. When your car runs smoothly, your life runs smoothly (or at least you're slightly less miserable).
5. Check canvas for any syllabi or notices.
This is the easiest way to see if you actually need the textbook or access code that's "required" for that gen-ed. I've never had a class that asked for the access code and didn't use it, however, I have friends at other schools who have been in that scenario. It also allows for the nice surprise of finding out that the class you're dreading won't meet the first week or that there's an extra credit opportunity every day for the class you HAVE to get an A in to save your GPA.
6. Clean your room/dorm.
Obviously, this applies more to winter break than summer break, but it's still a nice thing to do. For me, cleaning is extremely relaxing and helps to lower my anxiety, so I always try to purge and clean my room at home every semester break. (I clean my dorm before I leave for any break.)
7. Buy your school supplies, textbooks, and any food you want for the first couple of weeks.
8. Make a rough study plan.
You may not follow this once you get started, but especially when you have other obligations on top of school work, it gives you a good idea of what times you DON'T have available to study or work on projects, which sometimes is more useful than knowing when you can.
9. Check your scholarship requirements.
Especially when on an academic scholarship, you should always, always, always check to make sure you're meeting the requirements every semester. For example, this semester I have to submit an extra form to keep my scholarship and extremely small loan, despite meeting the academic standards.
10. Have fun!
Seriously, enjoy the last bit of freedom you have before a new semester. The weekend before a semester starts, my friends and I always get together to cook and party. It's a good way to see the people you may not have seen for several weeks, as well as get some quality time with your friends before school. I study chemistry at an engineering school. Syllabus week doesn't exist- we hit the ground running- so it's a nice break from the books we're otherwise constantly staring at. Because we attend school in Alabama, we don't have a lot of social distancing restrictions, so it's looking like we'll be doing it again this fall.
Well, here you go! There's my list of the 10 things you should do before a new semester, COVID-19 style.