The End, or Just the Beginning?

Photo Credit: http://studentsforliberty.org

For those of us in North America, the spring semester is wrapping up.  The next steps include work, summer classes or relaxing.  Maybe another task should be added to the list: Reflection and planning for the fall.

The spring semester is still fresh in your memory.  Now is the time to figure out what worked for you, what didn't and possible solutions. 

*Was getting to class on time an issue? Put together an optimal class schedule while you still have options: 8AM calculus class when you are not a morning person with a strong math background is a recipe for disaster.  Figuring this out in the first week of the new semester, when all the classes are full, is not going to help your cause.

*Was procrastination an issue? What was behind it?  Too many hours at work?  Cutting back on expenses and adding more work hours now will give you a larger financial cushion in the fall, so you won't be forced to work as much when class is in session.  Was finding a good place to work the problem?  Now is the time to scout out a new location, or work things out with family/roommates in regards to time and/or space. 

*Taking challenging courses next semester? Now is the time to set up your support team: Locate the tutoring center and find out if anyone you know has taken the class.  When you get closer to the start of the semester, contacting the instructor to ask for information regarding the text book(s) and course outline can't hurt, either.

Doing a little work now will make things easier later.  The GPA you save may be your own.