Dear Life,
I’m only three days into the semester, and I’ve woken up on the wrong side of the bed each day this week. I have already walked into the wrong classroom, and I forgot to turn in a syllabus quiz. I don’t know if I can sit through another minute of icebreakers. How do I manage to make it through the semester when I can’t even make it through the week?
Sincerely, Brain Fog.
Dear Brain Fog,
First of all, remember to take a deep breath, or three. The beginning of the semester is tough for everyone. Whether you are a first-year student, not used to waking up before 10 a.m., or a Pullman local tired of the traffic, everyone struggles.
This guide is not only about avoiding mistakes, but learning through them, and then later laughing about them.
It is easy to feel behind before the week even starts. We are here to tell you that it is not an old wives’ tale that there are benefits when you follow a routine, use your calendar, and talk to your professors. Jot down the important date and reach out when you have questions; your future self will thank you.
Try your best to be flexible. You are going to make mistakes, and that is okay. College is a marathon, not a sprint, and it is going to take some time to get the hang of it. Remember that every single college student, even your professors, has gone through exactly what you are going through. Be awkward, it is going to be okay.
Do not panic when you misread the instructions or turn in the wrong file. Luckily, when you make a mistake, you are taught not to make it again, and you will learn. A polite and concise email to your professor stating what went wrong goes a long way.
Example:
“Dear (Professor),
My name is ___ and I am in section _ of your ____ course. I am working on today’s assignment and I was hoping you could clarify ____. I want to make sure I understand the instructions correctly. Thank you.
(Your name)”
Be ready to ask for help and talk to people you have never met before.
Introduce yourself to your professors and TAs. They want to get to know you — and it can help you feel more at ease in the classroom.
Familiarize yourself with your syllabus and the locations of your classroom, bonus points if you introduce yourself to at least one person in each course. Making a quick connection can help when sharing notes or navigating your way through the CUB.
If you have not tripped on campus, you are not doing it right. Normalize the chaos, it is all part of the college experience.
Sincerely,
Life Section
