Starting a new semester of school can be both refreshing and a little nerve-wracking. On the one hand, you get to take new classes that you may find yourself enjoying. On the other hand, it can also be a little scary leaving behind the schedule you’re comfortable with. Here’s how you can prepare for term 3.

Reflect on first and second term

Now that first and second term is over, or almost over for some students, it’s a good time to reflect on the highs and lows.

Whether you thought your previous terms were a success or that there were areas in which to improve, try to take the time and really think about your past performance. Think about your professors/lecturers/teachers, your workload, how you balanced schoolwork with personal life. This part of assessment might feel unimportant, but it can really help you identify which habits are helping you succeed and also how to improve.

Set goals

After reflecting on the past terms, use those reflections to set goals for the new term, or expand on any existing goals you have. Your goal can be short term or long term, big or small, school related or personal. As long as the goal is something that will further you as a person and is attainable, go for it!

For example, some common goals are to earn and maintain good grades, stay organized, or balance your time more wisely. Hopefully with hard work and dedication, you’ll achieve your goals, Choma.

Mastering your learning style

It’s never too late to master your learning style. Understanding your learning style can help you find your weaknesses and strengths. This can prevent wasting time by giving you a way to study smarter rather than harder.

You can take the learning style quiz here.

Balancing life with school

Balancing school and personal life doesn’t always come easy for everyone. This can be achieved by planning out how much time you will need for your schoolwork and how much time you need to spend doing activities with friends or house chores. Drawing up a schedule and trying your best to stick by it is a great way to balance your life.

Prepare early

Attending new classes can feel scary and overwhelming at first but its nothing you can’t handle, Choma. Preparing early has proven to give the best results.  You can start by creating a study plan and decide how much time you need to spend on each subject. Some subjects will require more work than others because of the level of difficulty, the quantity of material or the nature of the content. Also think about the best time of day for focusing on a particular subject.

By prepping early and keeping an open mind, you can make your third term better than the previous terms. Good luck, Choma!

If you or a friend need advice or help, you can contact Ask Choma, send a Facebook message or a Twitter DM, or a WhatsApp Message (071 172 3657).