New Semester or Quarter - Tips to Start it Off Right

It's a new semester or quarter for most college students. Here are some tips and tricks to get started on the right foot and make the most of the fresh opportunity. You'll have more time for fun, decrease your stress around exam time, and improve your grades.

In this video, I go over some ways to make sure this new semester or quarter is better than the last. First, you should start with reflecting on what did and did not work for you last quarter or semester.

I know a lot of you have created New Year's Resolutions, and I have spoken about my thoughts on resolutions in the past. In short, most resolutions fail due to affective forecasting, where we use the current moment to predict how we will feel in the future. This often results in procrastination.

Therefore, it's crucial to depend on new habits and discipline over willpower to make the changes that you want. You can find more in this book below:

Now onto the nitty gritty of starting a new semester off on the right foot:
1. Scheduling: plan your classes and enter all the details you can into your calendar.
3. Talk to Others: Those who have recently taken the course are the best resource to find out how to succeed in each course.
4. Start Studying Immediately: It's easy to wait until week 2 or 3 to start, but it's imperative you start studying on day 1. This builds momentum and good habits.
5. Work towards your Fitness and Personal Goals Early: Similarly, start hitting the gym or working on your other goals immediately. Setting up a routine ensures you will stick with them even when midterms roll around.

[rebekahmenon]

I love your videos!!! Thanks for the tips. Last semester I used the "Self Journal" as a planner for exams and my work/fitness schedule. It helped me organize my time effectively. Definitely recommend! :) Another tip is to seek out your prof/TA early on so your questions don't build up. Last thing is to have a mentor! Not only are they great at advising, but mine gave me encouragement and she was a helpful support to have during the rough patches of the semester :)
One thing I need to improve on is my time spent on social media and Netflix. Less is more for those leisure privileges...

[Feelgoodnow]

1- Do a reflection on the last Sem.
2- use habits and discipline.
3- Schedule important dates.
4- come prepared: text books and other resources.
5- talk to others who took the class.
6- make freinds.
7- start from day one.

[ethanshyu]

Liked before even watching the video because I already knew that it would be helpful.

[spencernaka]

Make a video on how to use/organize Evernote as a PreMed/Med School Student

[crazyspaceships]

I usually go running every 2nd day on the evening. I usually see it as a day closing procedure and to relief the stress from the day.
Thanks for making these videos! Really appreciate them!

[Grace-rcss]

I use google calendar for scheduling, alerts, and recurring events. I keep a large monthly planner for important events and due dates as a snapshot of the month. I finally have a student planner that combines the desk planner and google calendar with daily to-do lists, weekly goals, and assignment break-downs. I like all of my planning to be on paper, but it is easier to carry around my phone and add to my planner later. It's not a perfect system, but it works for me.

[PIKABUxx]

Hope you had a great winter break Jay!
Please make a video on how to set study schedule leading up to an exam week. As always, great video! Keep up the good work!

[TheOneZepphyr]

awesome video as always. glad to see your channel is rapidly rising in popularity. keep up the great work, I'm eager to start this semester off strong

[brock]

I am starting college this week and this video helped a lot so thank you!

[hosheckler]

Love your videos---Keep up the great work!

[alex-wedj]

I have a tip for all students who don't want to spend too much money on textbooks: Often students who have already taken the particular class and don't require their textbooks anymore are happy to borrow or sell it to you for less!

[Emily-jixw]

Amazing video, do you have a video for burnout/ could you make one?
I've seen a recurring pattern in which I tend to go crazy motivated and firing to go do revision and my homework only to have it a few days later, or the following week feeling burnt out, tired and too lazy to do anything!

[thuyvinguyen]

This video helps alot.. What advice would you give to anyone that is trying to balancing full time job and being a full time student?

[arbood]

as a med student have you ever felt like med school is not the right path for you? If yes, how do you motivate yourself for keep being in med school?.
I'm currently thinking of changing my major in college (not med school) but I'm still not fully determined to do it and it's still my second semester so the best time to change my path is right now!!😥.

[DekiruKun]

Hi your videos are just awesome!

can you do a video on how to manage med' studies and workout and how do YOU schedule it (and other productive things besides studies) thanks and keep the good work!

[kaytee]

I'm procrasting right now, my 3rd year (year 3 of 6) started this week and I should be studying but I dont really regret binge watching your videos right now, I'm loving your tips! I'll try to implement them from now on. Thank you so much for your making this videos.

One more thing, during your med school time did you use online lecture classes, if so, where they helpful?

[bobbywhite]

Haha, I was right about how ineffective New Year's resolutions were!

[viviannguyen]

I enjoyed this video, i think the problem I have is balancing work and school. Seems to be hard! Any tips for that

[johnathanrendon]

I have started studying 2 weeks before the semester this fall. I hope it helps I the long run

[Renku]

Great video, I think it's always good to start a semester with that frame of mind. As to what calendar I use for my lectures and exams, I use an app called Studiez Pro, so it's not necessary for me to use any Google app, though I have nothing against them. This app costs money while Google apps are free.