How to Prepare for The New Academic Year? Top Strategies to Adopt

Entering a new class can be overwhelming and stressful — only if you haven’t prepared enough for it.

Remember the times in school when all we wanted was cute stationery and new backpacks for the next class? Because, as you know, everyone wants to start afresh. This list, however, grows more as you move up to higher grades. And more than stationery, there are other things you need to take care of.

You can be starting a new academic year or just returning after a long break; mentally preparing yourself for the next year is extremely important. 

With anticipation and uncertainty that follow a week before the new class, the stress can be reduced by properly organizing your stuff. 

Here’s a list of things you need to look out for while prepping for your next year!

Grab Reading Essentials

Look up the course content and modules you’re going to study the next year and note down all the reading material you want.

Instead of grabbing random books from the bookstore, get all the required essentials beforehand so you are prepared for the next term.

Most students wait for the first assignment to be assigned to rush to the bookstore and get all the reference books. You don’t have to do that. After buying your textbooks, get other relevant material you might need during the course.

If you want to up your game in class, read through the first chapter and get acquainted with the topics discussed. It will give you an edge over other students. 

Fix Your Schedule Beforehand

Are you someone who has taken a break and does Netflix and chill all the time?

Well, if your sleep schedule is disrupted totally, then you cannot imagine yourself magically fixing it after your first day in the new class.

Continuing to sleep late hours and being lazy all day will take you at least 2 weeks to adjust your routine after joining the school. So, it’s better to start early.

A week before the new session is the perfect time when you develop a routine, and set organized sleep/wake schedules for yourself. With the added responsibility of a new class and studying, it will be easy to juggle many things, including house chores and family time.

Try to imitate your routine beforehand so it gets easier to adjust later on.

Define Your Personal and Academic Goals

The foremost step is to outline your personal and academic goals. Take a moment to contemplate the past year and plan out what you want to accomplish in the coming months. 

Setting personal and academic objectives is very important for progress, so grab a notebook and note down your ambitions. You can categorize them based on different aspects of your life.

Here are some examples of obtainable academic goals for university students:

• Getting and sustaining high grades.
• Completing all assignments on time.
• Enrolling in a challenging course.
• Exploring elective courses to study.
• Participating in a student body.

As for personal goals, consider:

• Improving communication skills
• Expanding your reading list
• Incorporating more physical activity into your routine
• Pursuing a new hobby or skill
• Establishing and adhering to a healthy daily regimen

Refresh Your Previous Knowledge

You probably don’t want to feel blanked out among your peers on your first day. 

So, some preparation is necessary. 

You must refresh your previous knowledge and revise a few topics before going to the class. Thoroughly look at your course contents and syllabus provided by the school or college. You will get an idea that you might have studied some basics before regarding the new things you’re going to study in the next class.

Unpack your previous years’ books if you have packed them to rust in a corner, and quickly glance over the topics again.

You do not need to start memorizing anything again; it must have been stored in your subconscious memory. All you have to do is skim through the topics to review the important information without putting any pressure on yourself. 

This way, you will be well prepared for the next class and won't feel any mental blackout when a teacher asks something.

Do a Social Media Detox Quite Often

In this day and age, everything revolves around social media. Our attention span has lowered so much that we are unable to concentrate on anything that does not involve the Internet. 

After every few weeks, a social media detox works wonders as it lets you unwind. Excess of anything is bad, and when we talk about the negative effects of social media on our memory and concentration, we will have a long list.

Some of it is:

• Cluttered short-term memory 
• Reduced attention span
• Increased feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction
• Shallow processing of information
• Decrease in emotional wellbeing

With all these negatives, you cannot start a new journey. So, take a social media detox and turn off your phone, laptop, and other electronic gadgets. 

Take some time for yourself to relax and unwind because you have a lot of studying to do. 

More on This: Pros and Cons of Social Media That Will Surprise You

Clear Out The Garbage

Mess around us makes our brains cluttered as well. Research shows that living in a cluttered environment can negatively impact our cognitive abilities and increase stress levels. 

This clutter can be physical, like a messy desk or a disorganized room, or it can be digital, such as a cluttered inbox or desktop. 

When our surroundings are chaotic, it can be challenging to focus, make decisions, and think creatively. Additionally, clutter can contribute to feelings of overwhelm and anxiety. 

Therefore, decluttering our physical and digital spaces can help clear our minds and improve our overall well-being. Before starting a new semester or a new class, make sure to clear out the garbage in your room. Pack your previous year’s books, notes, and other essentials and put them aside safely. 

Make sure you have room for the new class’s essentials. A clear space will relax your mind and give you the excitement of starting something new.

Form New Study Habits

A new study year calls for new and healthy study habits. It’s time that you reflect on your previous year’s shortcomings and actively eliminate them from your life. 

While you notice some changes you need to make to your study habits, the first step is to note down the steps you take before studying.

Then, assess your report cards, final exams, and assignments and look for teacher reviews. You need to review your own progress throughout the year as well. For instance, see if you lack in a certain subject, then notice if you struggle with objective type questions or theoretical questions. 

Moving on, assess the steps you usually take to improve your score. Like

• How many hours do you spend studying daily?
• What are your most productive hours?
• Do you allocate specific time for every subject?
• How much time do you waste in a day?

Answering these questions will give you a clear idea of what to do and how to make meaningful changes to your daily schedule.

Stock Up on School Supplies

It might look small, but stationery is every student’s best friend. The importance of stationery cannot be overstated. Notebooks, pens, highlighters, sticky notes, and flashcards, everything has its own significance to make your academic journey blissful.

If you are a nerd, then you probably stock up alot on stationery items. But, if you are not, try doing it to make your study process more enjoyable and efficient. 

New and clean notebooks provide a dedicated space for jotting down lecture notes and assignments. You can add a touch of whim to it by selecting some aesthetic notebook covers. 

Getting other essentials like flashcards and sticky notes actually motivates you to concentrate in class and make hand-written notes. Even for aesthetic reasons, you want to study.

Here’s some stuff you can get:

• Colored Ball Pens 
• Pencils
• Multi-color highlighters
• Sticky notes
• Flashcards
• Bookmarks
• Notebooks/ Registers
• Binders and folders
• A pencil case
• A spacious bag

So, grab new items to start from scratch again. Investing in quality stationery not only enhances productivity but also adds a touch of motivation and enthusiasm to your study sessions. 

Go To A Refreshing Tour

Before the start of another taxing new school year, you need to unwind and relax. A clear mind and rejuvenated spirit can make all the difference in how you approach your studies. 

Have you been putting off that long-awaited group trip with your friends?

Or why not just plan something for yourself? 

A serene countryside retreat or an adventurous ride on a mountain will definitely take negative energy out of your system. A refreshing tour like this will motivate you to start the new academic year with newfound enthusiasm and confidence. 

Take Additional Help If Need Be

You might need additional help before the semester or year starts. After browsing through your course contents, if you find anything difficult or feel that you need additional classes in a few subjects, then it is the right time to begin. 

Some students wait till the end of the year to take a few online or private sessions. It gets exhausting in the end with all the syllabus piled up on your shoulders. At that time, you do not understand which things to pick first to study.

So, it’s important to get acquainted with an expert tutor who will help you throughout your new academic year. 

Hire a tutor for any course you feel is complex and keep in touch with them.

Extra Tips [What NOT to Do]

Now that you are aware of the things that you should do before the start of the new academic year let’s move to something more important. 

So, What should you NOT do before moving on to the new class?

Here are some extra tips for you:

• Do not wait until the last minute to gather the school essentials. Organize your plans and be prepared for what’s about to come.
• Do not skip the orientation session or the O-week at your school/college.
• Avoid neglecting your health. Get adequate sleep and eat well before the start of the new class.
• Don't neglect to establish effective time management strategies. Create schedules and prioritize tasks to ensure you stay on track with your academic responsibilities.
• Don't underestimate the workload of your courses. Review and prepare accordingly for the demands of each class.
• Avoid disregarding important deadlines for registration, financial aid, or housing arrangements. Missing deadlines can lead to unnecessary stress and complications.
• Avoid isolating yourself and neglecting support systems such as family, friends, or campus resources. Reach out whenever you need help.

Final Words

Preparation is necessary when you want to begin a new journey without trouble and stress. The given to-do list will help you prepare for your academic year and help you form some healthy habits as well. 

So, grab your notebook and start jotting down what to do next!