Many students has feels inconvenient to go to school or
college after a long holidays like summer or Christmas holidays. During the
summer it’s natural to slip out of study mode — and into fun, sun and
relaxation.
Image Source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1074636
So the start of another school year can feel sobering (at
best).
But there are ways you can ease into the fall semester,
without much stress. Below, Julie Hanks, LCSW, a licensed psychotherapist and
author of the blog “Private Practice Toolbox” on Psych Central, shared her tips
for shifting to student mode.
1. Start
reading regularly. “Get back into the habit of reading for
longer stretches of time and reflecting on what you’ve read,” Hanks said. Try
to read material that’s somehow related to your studies, such as textbooks or
journal articles.
2.
Gather everything you’ll need. Figure out the tools
you’ll need this semester to succeed, Hanks said. It might be anything from a
laptop to certain books to notebooks to a backpack. “Externally preparing for
the shift into ‘student mode’ can help you get back into feeling like a
student.”
3.
Create a comprehensive schedule. Carve out chunks of time
for homework and studying, in addition to social events and other commitments,
she said.
4.
Get involved in extracurriculars. What school activities or
clubs would you like to join this year? Consider what’s available in your area
of study, Hanks said. “Volunteer, visit the campus, and envision yourself as a
successful and engaged student.”
Hanks isn’t just sharing her advice. She’s also taking
it. She’s heading back to school this month to pursue her doctorate. These are
a few of the ways she’s preparing for her program. Maybe they’ll inspire you,
as well.
She
purchased her school’s sweatshirt. Hanks is attending the
University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) to receive a PhD in Marriage &
Family Therapy. It’s an online program. So the sweatshirt is a tangible symbol
of her student status.
She
adjusted her commitments. As she said, “I have shifted my
priorities and commitments to allow for time to devote to my studies. I’m
seeing fewer clients. I’ve blocked out chunks of time from work and family
responsibilities so I can study.”
She’s
staying involved. According to Hanks, “I visit the website
often to look at my schedule, check student email, get updates from professors
so I can continue to prepare. In fact, I just checked before writing this and
one of my professors sent the list of three textbooks that I will now go online
and order.”
Image Source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1074636
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