Start Your CUE For A New Semester
With the start of a new year, comes a new semester, marking the opportunity to embrace new beginnings and make the most of one's campus life out of it amidst the chilly weather. Here are some ways how you can get ahead for the new term:
Reflect on Your Experience from the Past Term
The key to success is to learn from past mistakes. Take some time to assess how your Fall semester went for you. What worked well? Did your study routines lead to the marks you wanted? Were you overwhelmed by doing extracurricular activities such as athletics, performing arts, or even volunteering at the same time with your studies? I would recommend jotting down those reflections to help set up goals that are clear and actionable for the Winter term. For example, if you found yourself scrambling to submit assignments on Moodle or even procrastinating to do a last-minute assignment, I would consider using a planner or digital calendar to stay organized. If you struggle with motivation, try to identify study techniques that will benefit your learning, such as study groups or having one-on-one writing and tutoring sessions available at student services.
Winter-ize Your Needs
Winter doesn’t have a change in terms of weather – it does change in how you deal with your daily routine. Stock up on some supplies, whether it’s for school or everyday needs, to make upcoming colder months more manageable. Keep a travel mug handy and portable for warm drinks during early morning classes, and have some gloves on so you are able to text or take notes without freezing your fingers.
Utilize Our Campus Resources
The beginning of the new semester means new course schedules. You must be proactive when checking your course syllabus, ordering textbooks from the Bookstore or online, and reaching out to professors if you have any further questions or concerns. Also reflect on your course load last term; are you able to add another, should you pull back, or can you handle the same amount of courses as last term?
Winter can be isolating, so reconnect with resources we have that will support you to thrive both academically and socially. The campus library often provides help with citation tools, research techniques, as well as IT issues. We also have access to tutoring, peer mentoring, student accessibility services, and even academic advisors that will be helpful for whatever you need.
Whether you want to join a club, attend more campus events, or even be more productive in your studies, winter term provides an opportunity to build self-esteem and confidence. Folks, start your CUE and may the year 2025 make the most out of it!
