Hi everyone and welcome back to the final summer series blog post! We hope that you’ve been having a well-rested break with fall quarter approaching us. As we are returning back to campus and having in-person classes, you’re probably wondering and thinking about how to adapt to this change especially since we’ve been getting used to online learning. It might take some time to adjust at first, but we hope that our tips will be useful for you.
With that in mind, here are some recommendations we have that may help make the transition from online to in-person easier.
1. Plan your day accordingly
A key tip in preparing for in-person learning is to take into account how you’re planning to spend your day. You can also adjust your sleep schedule to wake up with enough time to get ready in the morning in order to start your day off right. If you’re planning to commute to campus, make sure to plan your route to arrive early or on time even when there may be traffic. It’s good to keep in mind approximately how long it will take to get to your classes and allow yourself enough time in between to get there.
2. Get familiar with the campus
For those who haven’t had the opportunity to step foot on campus yet, it’s important to get to know where certain buildings are located. If you haven’t already, check out the campus maps to become more familiar with the general vicinity. It’s also a good idea to visit the campus before school starts and figure out how much time it will take to walk around.
3. Make the most out of campus resources
Take advantage of the resources available to you while you’re on campus. The Foster Career Services is helpful to visit whether you’re interested in meeting with a career coach for resume help or guidance on networking. Seeking advice is crucial for your start on navigating and preparing for your future career. Feel free to reach out for help if you ever need to since the Career Center is there to support you and your interests. You can also connect with Foster Academic Advising to set up a meeting with your advisor to plan your course schedule.
4. Attend academic, social, and RSO events
Joining RSOs and attending events, whether they are more academically driven or social, is highly recommended to feel more part of a community. Staying connected with others, especially as we are able to meet in person is key for maintaining good mental health. If you weren’t able to attend all the events that were held virtually before, now is your chance to explore them and meet new people. Check out the list of Foster RSOs or the general RSO directory to discover which ones you can be more involved in based on your interests.
5. Utilize productivity apps
It’s important to be organized and on top of your work! What better way than to use different productivity apps to help you stay motivated. One recommendation is Notion, the all-in-one workspace that provides various components, such as notes, kanban boards, calendars, reminders, and other features. It’s a tool to plan and keep track of what you need to get done. Another tool you can use is LifeAt Virtual Spaces, a website that includes live virtual study spaces. You can choose from a variety of study settings such as the beach, cafe, and more. It also comes with a pomodoro timer feature that you can use to track how long you’ve been studying for as well as when to take breaks. These productivity software are effective for improving your time management.
We hope that these ideas will be beneficial to you as you’re getting ready to tackle what’s to come in fall quarter. As always, remember to stay safe and healthy! We’re excited to welcome you back! Take care and we hope to see you soon at our events!