We Are Halfway Through the Semester!

The weeks around midterms are very stressful for students.  Midterm exams and projects consume copious amounts of time and energy, and official midterm grades can be disappointing and even shocking.  For students who are not where they would like to be at the mid-semester mark, College Success Plan wants to remind you that there is still plenty of time to turn things around!

Steps for getting back on track:

• Make and maintain a weekly to-do list.  Remember to update this list as your week progresses.
• Revisit your course syllabi to ensure you understand what the remainder of the semester will look like.
• Communicate with professors: Take ownership for your grades, and see if you can resubmit missed work for partial credit, ask for suggestions for improving the quality of your work, and inquire about extra credit opportunities.  
• Revisit your goals from the start of the semester and set new goals for the second half.  Let these goals motivate you!
• Prioritize sleep and healthy eating, set aside time for exercise, and get outdoors when possible.  Be sure to take care of your body and your mind.
• Above all, be kind to yourself! This is a trying time, and we are doing the best we can. Keep your goals realistic and achievable, and take the time to celebrate even the smallest accomplishments.

Steps for planning ahead for the winter and spring semesters:

• Schedule a meeting with your advisor to review your credits and create a plan for the coming semester.  
• Research classes, read professor reviews and ask around for recommendations.
• Know your registration date and set a reminder.  You want to know exactly which classes you are registering for when your registration time arrives.
• Have alternate plans!  Identify back-up classes in case your first choices are full.
• Sign up for extra classes.  Dropping a class during the first week of school is infinitely less stressful than searching for a new class once school has started.  Save yourself future stress by signing up for an extra 1-2 classes with the plan of dropping your least favorite(s) during the first week!

College Success Plan is constantly reminding our students that there is a solution to every problem.  No matter how desperate or dire a situation may feel, there are always opportunities for improvement and growth.  Our Mentors empower students with this knowledge and guide them to identify these opportunities and take action.  By focusing on the things you can control and releasing control of those you cannot, you minimize anxiety and are better able to identify a path forward.  If your student would benefit from College Success Plan’s proven approach to helping students overcome their obstacles and achieve their goals, let us help!