As winter break comes to an end, it is important to start preparing for the upcoming spring 2021 semester. Many of us assumed the number of COVID-19 cases would continue to decline but it is quite the opposite. According to the New York Times database, over 22,903,400 people tested positive for COVID-19 and since the first week of January, there has been an average of 249,961 cases per day. Universities continue to adjust their reopening plans which include delaying the start of the term, remaining remote for the semester, and even eliminating spring break to reduce the spread of the virus.
We are in a time of uncertainty which can be confusing for many international students returning to the U.S. If the fall 2020 semester taught us anything, it’s that learning how to adjust to unexpected circumstances is crucial. No matter when or where you will be taking classes this spring, ISO wishes you a successful start to the semester!
Here are tips to help you prepare for the Spring 2021 semester:
Staying on track for graduation: Taking the right classes
Check-in with your academic advisor to make sure you are taking the right classes to graduate on time. The last thing you want to do is delay fulfilling your degree requirements. This can lead to taking more classes than usual, having to take summer or winter classes, or even pushing back your expected graduation date. Your academic advisor is a great resource and they can help you throughout your college experience. Your advisor can assist you in registering for classes, finding internship and research opportunities, and of course, making sure you graduate on time. You should try to maintain a good relationship with your advisor to better understand your needs as an international student.
Get organized: Preparing for classes
Staying organized in college is important! Not only does it make your life much easier, but it will also help you in completing your coursework in a timely manner. Get a head start to the spring 2021 semester and start to prepare for your classes before they begin!
Here are 5 tips to prepare for classes:
- Read the syllabus of your course- Going over your course syllabus can help you better understand what to expect for the semester. Your syllabus includes a guideline on how you will be graded, due dates for exams and assignments, and other important information your professor may want you to know. In addition, your professor includes their contact information and office hours whenever you need to reach them. Please note, most students will receive the syllabus once classes begin but they may be able to upload it early or send it to you in advance if you ask.
- Purchase or rent your textbooks in advance- Textbooks can be quite expensive and can cause a financial burden to an international student. If you are not required to purchase a brand-new textbook, you can look for more affordable options. You may be hesitant to purchase your books due to the cost and space they will take up but there are plenty of options on how to deal with them when the semester is over so don’t worry!
- Purchasing health insurance- Many institutions require or strongly recommend international students to purchase medical insurance. This is to protect F1 students from high medical bills from the high costs of medical care in the U.S. Depending on your school’s waiver requirements, you may be eligible to purchase more affordable medical coverage. Make sure to purchase your health insurance before your arrival to the U.S. to ensure you’re protected from any unexpected events.
- Create separate folders for your class materials and files- It is important to keep all your course materials organized so it’s easy to access whenever you need them. Create a folder for each one of your classes on Google Drive, you can start by creating a folder called “Spring 2021 Semester”. Then inside the folder, you can create additional folders for the classes you will be taking.
- Plan your semester with a calendar or planner- Even though the Spring semester has just begun, time goes fast! Do not wait until finals week to start scheduling your time. Disadvantages of not planning out your schedule can lead to missing important dates for assignments, studying for exams the night before, and can hurt your academic performance. Make sure to set aside time for important tasks, you can use a calendar, a planner, or whatever works best for you. Your schedule should include all assignment due dates, times to study, and a weekly to-do list for smaller tasks.
Here are digital apps to help you plan your semester:
- Adjusting to the time difference- Many international students returned home for winter break. If you are taking in-person classes, you will need some time to adjust to the new time-zone. Traveling to a new time zone can lead to jet lag. Symptoms can include sleepiness during the day, having trouble sleeping at night, headaches, and can even cause an upset stomach. However, drinking plenty of fluids, practicing good sleep habits, and keeping yourself busy can help you adjust to the time in the U.S.
Stop Procrastinating
It is easy to put off assignments until the very last minute and trying to complete them can be quite exhausting. Additionally, procrastinating can result in your grades being lower than expected. This is because your professor can tell when your assignments are rushed and you did not spend enough time to complete the work you had many months to do. This spring semester challenge yourself to complete your tasks in a timely manner!
Here are some tips to help you fight off procrastination!
- Reward yourself– Giving yourself an incentive to complete tasks will help you become more productive. It could be anything you want! For example, “If I study for my class for 2 hours, I take the night to talk to my friends back home.” Or even a bigger goal such as, “If I get an A in computer science this semester, I’ll buy myself a new pair of shoes.” You are more likely to complete a task when there is something to look forward to.
- Break down your assignments into small tasks- Usually, the most important tasks we need to complete are the hardest as they seem overwhelming. Try giving yourself a timeline to finish your assignment, during this period you can break up what needs to be done into smaller and more manageable tasks. Make sure to write your goals down where you can see them and check them off as you go!
- Ask for help- Your friends and classmates can help motivate you in completing your assignments. You can also help them by holding each other accountable to meet important deadlines. If you are taking classes remotely you can use virtual spaces such as Zoom, Facebook Messenger, Skype, and many other online platforms to stay in contact with your peers.
Do what works best for you!
Everyone has their own way in how they complete their assignments. It is best to find a method that works best for you! This can be anything from studying in a quiet space, color coding your notes, or even setting up reminders on your phone to keep track of deadlines. As your college experience continues you will better understand what you need to do to graduate and completing tasks will become more manageable (even if you wait until the last minute). Remember you have a support system at school and back home to help to successfully get through the semester.
