As January begins, so does the new spring semester at NIU. Whether a student is returning or entering their first semester, there can be some levels of stress and anxiety present. To best prepare for the semester, it’s useful to follow these tips that may benefit a student’s college life.
Memorize When Your Classes Are
Students should double-check, if not triple-check, what they are enrolled in. Students should know when their classes start, and at what time and date. There’s also where a student’s classes should be, either on campus or in an online meeting. It is important to schedule out times and days because it’s better to get projects done in little chunks than to do everything last minute and it will provide the student a guideline that will be a pattern and habit in their life.
Get Textbooks and Required Readings ASAP
Every student must get what is required for the class they are enrolling in as soon as possible. If a student doesn’t get their textbooks, it is possible to fall behind in class so it’s best to get textbooks early. Books can get delayed or take a while to ship, so ordering them early can help prevent having an issue with them not arriving on time. If there seems to be a problem with ordering textbooks online from the NIU bookstore or if the order seems to be lost or delayed, make sure to contact the bookstore’s help services for assistance.
Learn the In’s and Out’s of Blackboard
Most if not all NIU courses have a Blackboard account for students to monitor their classes. Course pages typically open either the day the semester is scheduled to begin or the first day the class is scheduled. Besides checking grades and submitting assignments, students can keep track of updates by clicking the activity tab under their account. A student can check previous courses after the semester passes, but the course will be locked.
Stay Ahead
Plan for whatever the class may throw your way. Always take a thorough look at the syllabus for each of your classes to get an understanding of when important assignments will be due. It also helps to use a calendar or academic planner, both of which can be purchased in the Huskie Bookstore in the Holmes Student Center, to stay on track and pace yourself rather than risk the chance of burnout and late work.
Take Responsibility for Your Academic Success
A student is enrolled in a class, and it’s up to them to perform to the best of their ability. If there’s an outstanding assignment, it should be completed as soon as possible. If a student is missing notes, they should contact someone who has the notes or talk to their professor. A student should be prepared if they wish to succeed.
