Not big on planning your semester or quarter? No stress! Here are 10 key tips to help you get started.
The essentials for planning your college semester are: First, set clear goals and priorities. Then, choose your courses wisely, print out calendars and syllabi for each class, organize folders for every subject, stock up on school supplies, check for holidays and important academic dates, set up your class schedule, find recommended readings, and gather extra resources online. Lastly, make sure to connect with classmates in each course—it’ll make a huge difference!
What’s a Semester or a Quarter in College?
A semester is a six-month period, meaning there are two semesters in a year. During each one, students take a set of courses. At the end of the semester, they face exams for those subjects.
Once the semester wraps up, students start preparing for the next one, where they’ll tackle new classes.
And What About Quarters?
A quarter lasts three months. It might seem like less time, but the concept is basically the same—there are still two main academic periods in a year. The breaks in between are typically used for exams.
So, in most cases, semesters and quarters work the same way.
Now, let’s dive into how to plan your college semester (or quarter) like a pro!
1. Set Goals and Priorities
Setting goals and priorities is as simple as deciding how you want to finish the semester.
Ideally, you’d pass all your classes—but let’s be real, some subjects are tougher than others. Maybe your goal is just to get through the hardest ones while focusing more on the ones you know you can ace.
Whatever the case, write down your goals and keep them in mind at all times. They’ll help you stay focused and set your priorities.
2. Choose Courses That Match Your Skills and Career Goals
In some colleges, you can choose between different professors’ courses or sections for the same class.
Some are tough, others are easier. Most students end up picking based on their schedule, but ideally, you should choose a course that matches your skill level and aligns with your career goals.
The best way to decide? Ask students who have already taken the class. Also, make sure to check the course syllabus—it’ll give you a clear idea of what to expect.
3. Print Out Syllabi and Course Schedules
In the first week of classes, you’ll receive the syllabi for each course, and in some cases, a class schedule that might even include exam dates.
Typically, this material is available online, and it’s a good idea to print it out.
If you’d prefer to skip printing for environmental reasons, you can upload the syllabi to a mobile device, like a tablet.
But if you’re aiming to go paperless, try organizing this information digitally so it’s easily accessible when you need it.
4. Organize Each Subject in Separate Folders
This is a great habit, partly inspired by the GTD (Getting Things Done) methodology.
Get a folder for each subject—preferably one without clips—to store your notes, printouts, handouts, exercise guides, or any other course materials.
Do the same for digital materials. Keep everything organized and easy to access.
5. Stock Up on Stationery Supplies
The start of the semester is the perfect time to plan ahead and check if you’re missing any stationery supplies.
Pens, pencils, and paper are essentials—you can’t go without them. If you need to buy anything, make sure to get enough to last through the semester.
I’ve also created a checklist in my article on “Essential School Supplies for College Students” to help you make sure you’re not forgetting anything.
Pay extra attention to quality pens, as they can make a big difference in your notes, even if they’re a bit pricier. I highly recommend checking out the article on gel ink pens for note-taking.
6. Set Your Class and Study Schedule
Each semester or quarter changes your life not just because of the courses you take, but also because of the schedule you have.
You need to organize your time wisely so you can attend classes, study, rest, sleep, and still have some fun. If you want to create a schedule, the start of the semester is the best time to set it up.
7. Check Business Days and Holidays for the Entire Period
To plan your semester or quarter, you need to know how much time you’ll have throughout it.
Grab your calendar and check how many business days there are, and most importantly—how many holidays there are and when they occur.
Those days off from class can be crucial for your study time later on.
I recommend checking out my article on Holidays and College Students—it’s a bit old, but still very relevant!
8. Make Classmates in Every Subject
During the first week, it’s a good idea to find classmates who are taking the same courses. That way, you can tackle the subjects together in the best way possible. If that’s not possible, at least try to find one classmate in each subject.
The goal is to form a study group. If there’s an opportunity to do so, go for it!
Even if the course doesn’t require teamwork, it’s always helpful to have someone you know in each class.
8. Get the Required Reading
As soon as you know the required reading for your courses, start looking for the books.
Find people who have already passed the course and no longer need their textbooks. Don’t forget to check online buying and selling sites, where you might be able to find text books at very low prices.
9. Search for Information Online
Specialized websites, blogs, texts, videos, and documents related to what you’re going to study—everything can be useful, and it might come in handy sooner than you think.
I recommend grabbing the syllabus for each subject and starting to search for information online, even for topics that you won’t cover in class for a while.
Planning Your Semester Will Help You Succeed
Planning your semester is a great way to start off on the right foot. Organization and foresight will give you more confidence throughout the semester. You’ll have a sort of roadmap for each subject and always know exactly where you stand in relation to your goals.
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