How to get ready for Semester two

Emma Seton·5 February 2021·6 min read
How to get ready for Semester two

For many university students the January assignments have finally been submitted and semester one has come to an end. Whether you’ve already started your second semester, or whether you don’t start back again until next week, it’s always good to take some time to prepare for the new semester as the academic clock resets. Start off the new semester in the right mind set, prepare for your new modules and take the time to plan how you’re going to tackle the new academic semester. At Accommodation for Students we’ve put together some handy tips and tricks to help you start off the semester on the right foot.

Buy the books you need:

As students, its often painful to shell out your student loan or hard-earned money on expensive textbooks, but we all know deep down it’s worth it. Whether you search for a second-hand copy, or buy yourself a flashy brand-new book, buying your textbooks is a great way to get a head start on the semester. If you’re not quite ready to part with the cash then you might want to check if you can get a copy online through your university’s library search (you usually can), or you might want to consider checking the book out of the library. Check your books out the library as soon as you can, they’re usually all gone by mid-way through the semester. Getting your hands on the books you need in advance will help you to become familiar with the content that you’ll be studying and help reassure you that you’ve chosen the right modules for you.

Begin some of the recommended reading:

We all know how much of a challenge it is to stay on top of reading throughout the semester, so why not try and get ahead? Take the opportunity to do your reading now while you’ve got some spare time and you’ll definitely be thanking yourself for it later. Even if you just do a small amount this may help take the pressure off further down the line.

Check your timetable:

For most students, your timetable will change between semester one and semester two as you take on new modules. It’s often a good idea to look ahead and see what’s in store for you. Ensure that you know in advance whether you’ll have any days off or whether you’ve got lectures or Zoom classes every day of the week. Checking your timetable in advance will also help you to plan your study timetable. You’ll be able to plan which days you’re going to study and when you’re going to have some time away from your desk.

Plan:

Although it can be daunting checking when your deadlines are, checking the dates of your submissions can often be a helpful way to plan for the next semester. It can be especially helpful if you note these down in a spreadsheet to allow you to clearly see how and when you’re going to be assessed. This will also help to avoid the last-minute panic when you’ve got a deadline looming and you’ll know far in advance when they’re coming up.

Check the syllabus:

If you’re doing new modules this semester, it’s often a good idea to look over the syllabus. Remind yourself exactly what you’ll be learning about and ensure that this module is something that you’re interested in. Before semester two begins you’ll likely have the opportunity to swap modules if you’re having second thoughts about one of your module choices. If you’re unsure about your choices, you might want to speak to your lecturer or academic advisor to see if swapping may be in your best interests.

Set yourself goals for this semester:

Whether you’ve got something specific in mind, or whether you want to set yourself small targets, setting goals is often a good way to start the semester. Perhaps you’re a third-year student and you need to start your job hunt for after graduation, or perhaps you want to try and attend every lecture or zoom session. Whether you make academic goals or more personal goals, it’s often worth looking ahead and planning what you want to do with this semester.

Plan your budget:

You’ve likely already had your student loan for this semester but its good to plan how far this has got to go. Perhaps you overspent in semester one and some of this semester’s loan has to go towards paying off your overdraft. Whatever your financial position, planning out your budget can help you avoid running out of money later down the line.

Take a break before your studies begin again:

Although you might want to spend all your time getting ahead for semester two, its often important to take some time out and reset before the new semester. Taking a break will help give you the energy you need to get through the next gruelling semester. Try not to push yourself too hard and remember that rest is key to success.

For most university students, semester two is right around the corner. Take some time to prepare for what’s to come but don’t forget to take some time away too.