[Chad]

Back To School Tips

January means time to dust off the backpack, purchase new books, and head off to new classes. Are you prepared to make this semester better than the last?

Based off of Dr. Carolyn Hopper's back-to-school tips, we've put together 10 things to keep on your mind when you head back to McMaster on Monday.

• 1. If you haven't already selected your classes on SOLAR, try not to schedule back to back classes. You'll wear yourself out besides missing the best times to study--right before and right after class. Note: the first few weeks of class, SOLAR opens up for drop and add period, so you're able to reschedule classes you think will be too much of a strain on your day! Keep in mind to provide yourself with enough time to eat lunch!

• 2. Start working on day one and get out of holiday mode! Take notes from the first day even if it's routine stuff you think you already know. If no homework is assigned the first week, use it to your advantage to begin reading ahead! When you start getting piled with assignments a month into classes, you'll be happy you did!

• 3. Establish a routine time to study for each class. For every hour you spend in class, you will probably need to study two hours outside class. Studying for each subject should be at the same time, same place, if possible. Study includes more than just doing your homework. You will need to go over your notes from by class, labeling, editing, and making sure you understand them. Study your syllabus daily to see where you are going and where you have been. Be sure to do reading assignments. (Don't put them off just because there's not a written assignment.) Read ahead whenever possible. Prepare for each class as if there will be a pop quiz.

• 4. Establish a place to study. Your place should have a desk, comfortable chair, good lighting, all the supplies you need, etc., and of course, should be as free of distractions as possible. It should not be a place where you routinely do other things. It should your study place.

• 5. Do as much of your studying in the daytime as you can. What takes you an hour to do during the day may take you an hour and a half at night.

• 6. Schedule breaks. Take a ten minute break after every hour of study. If possible, avoid long blocks of time for studying. Spread out several short study sessions during the day.

• 7. Make use of study resources on campus. Find out about and use labs, tutors, videos, computer programs, and alternate texts. Sign up for an orientation session in the campus library and computer facilities. Get to know your professors and advisors. Ask questions. "I didn't know," or "I didn't understand" is never an excuse. Go to your T.A. office hours and say "hi!", introduce yourself and make your name known. It'll make it much easier to approach them later for help!

• 8. Find at least one or two students in each class to study with. Studies show that students who study with someone routinely make better grades. You will probably find yourself more motivated if you know someone else cares about what you are doing in the class. Teaching a concept or new idea to someone else is a sure way for you to understand it. Studying in a group or with a partner can sometimes become too social. It is important to stay focused.

• 9. Study the hardest subject first. Work on your hardest subjects at a time when you are fresh. Putting them off until you're tired compounds the problem.

• 10. Be good to yourself. Studying on four hours of sleep and an empty stomach or junk-food diet is a waste of time. Avoid food and drink containing caffeine just before or just after studying.