As we wave goodbye to an uncomfortably rainy summer and start to indulge in pumpkin spice drinks with cozy sweaters, I want to welcome returning and new students to the Mount. I hope the start of autumn brings a sense of excitement and ease as we all tackle what the semester brings. If you are starting a new program or chugging along in your degree, may this academic year be a time for you to get a handle on what will likely be a busy semester.
Like many others, I find the fall semester exciting as it comes with leaves falling and crisp mornings. I feel like a kid all over again, preparing for my first big school day. Soon the sunlight will fade faster, and the leaves will change to beautiful bright colours, as wildlife wanders around campus. And before we know it, the first signs of winter will start to take hold. So much happens throughout the fall semester, making it feel special yet extra busy.
Here are some tips to help you stay on track for a successful semester.
Write down due dates
This one may sound obvious, but stay organized to ensure you don’t fall behind on your course loads. The first thing I do every semester is highlight all my due dates and write them down on a calendar or agenda. I pick a different colour for each subject and plan when to start my assignments. Writing down due dates is an excellent way to see what weeks you will be extra busy, allowing you to plan ahead of those weeks.
Go to your professor’s office hours
Again, this may seem obvious to some, but many students do not take advantage of attending their professor’s office hours. Popping by is a great time to meet with your professor one-on-one about an assignment, get clarification, and ask questions about your class. It helps professors get to know you, which can be helpful for future things like letter recommendations for jobs or scholarship references.
Book an appointment with the Writing Centre, the Learning Strategist, and the Library
As a student who has previously used these services, I highly recommend getting extra help where you can.
Booking an appointment with the Learning Strategist is an excellent resource for one-on-one help. It is a time for you to get tips and tricks on best studying practices according to your learning style.
Visiting the Writing Centre helps you become more confident with writing and assignments. It is a way to work with tutors who can help you with various writing needs, from citations to brainstorming.
Lastly, reach out to the Library if you need help. It is a fantastic resource that helps you navigate the databases. They also give you the tools and knowledge to do the best research for your assignments. Every time I have used this resource, I have learned something new.
Get involved
COVID-19 forced us to shutter away in our homes, and many of us had to endure many semesters online. Although this was necessary, it shut down a lot of school societies, activities, and ways to get involved at the Mount. Over the past year, these things have been slowly coming back. Whether you are a new or returning student, I recommend you get involved.
Getting involved will help with time management skills, add experiences to your resume, introduce you to people and friends, and most importantly, experience Mount’s student life to the fullest. Although I am biased, I highly recommend getting involved with our publication here at Symmetry. Being a part of Symmetry helps you refine your writing and editing skills, looks attractive when applying for jobs or co-op positions, and enables you to be a more robust student in your program.
Other societies to check out are the MSVU Foodbank, the MSVU Student Union, and the PR and Comms Society. Getting involved makes your university experience more rewarding when you walk across the stage to collect your degree!
Take care of your mental health
Lastly, make sure you are taking care of yourself. There are several places on campus to help you, including the Counselling Services, the Health Office, and the Fitness Centre. No grade, assignment, program, or external situation is worth compromising your mental health. As we start this exciting but busy time of the year, schedule downtime for yourself, do something you enjoy, and reach out when you need help.
I wish everyone an exciting few weeks back to our beautiful campus and a successful fall semester. Stay tuned for more articles and updates from Symmetry.
By: Emily Brown, Editor-in-Chief
