With the arrival of August, thoughts of returning to school are coming into focus. Nine-to-fives, afternoon shifts and vacations are steadily flying by, and as the days turn into blink-and-you’ll-miss-it weeks, time allocated to preparing for the fall semester should also dot the calendar. Here are some simple steps that, come a busy September, you’ll thank yourselves for taking.
1. Roll the credits
Now might just be the best time to take a quick visit to SIS. Don’t get me wrong — summer should not be spent in the thralls of NetBadge, but taking an extra minute to finalize your schedule makes the start of the semester more manageable. Waitlists may have moved, so make some schedule adjustments now, well before the early drop deadline. Many new fall classes have also been added since spring enrollment, and browsing the course catalog might uncover a few hidden gems. All set for the semester? Check in on your degree progress, and perhaps take this time to look into a J-Term to catch up on requirements.
2. Give your resume a refresh
After a jam-packed spring semester and the start of summer endeavors, it’s safe to say you’ve probably neglected your resume. Take the next two months to add some humble “brags” to that Google Doc, rather than waiting until the night before the Fall Job and Internship Fair. Pick a night and take an hour to get your resume looking sleek, and as you go about your summer, translate your daily tasks into resume bullets. If you don’t yet have a resume, now’s the perfect time to try your hand at making one with VMock and booking a virtual summer appointment with the Career Center staff for review.
3. Go for the clean sweep — of Outlook, that is
It’s officially past time to unsubscribe from the random out-of-network email lists and listservs whose clubs you don’t belong to. And I know you want to get rid of that slew of Outlook notifications on your home screen. Find a chunk of time this summer to turn up some tunes as you slim that “unread” number down to zero and delete, delete, delete. Folders are your best friend — add as many as you need. Get your inbox as bare bones as possible so that once August rolls around, you’ll be ready and won’t miss a beat.
4. Get a jump start on your CIO duties
Between all of the hubbub that accompanies the new school year, the last thing you’ll want to do this August is stress about finishing tasks for the CIOs you’re a part of. Preparing for this year’s Fall Activities Fair Aug. 25, designing recruitment materials and reserving rooms for interest meetings will need to happen sooner than you think. Take a little time to reflect on your organization’s past year, brainstorm fresh ideas and map out a trajectory. Perhaps most importantly, delegate these responsibilities. This won’t only save you from stress but will also make for a more organized CIO.
5. Take on an outdoor hobby
Too often, you find yourself inside, resigned to wistful window views of the outdoors rather than the real thing. Even when you are outside, the same, familiar walks often don’t cut it. Take the remainder of the summer to break out the bike, shoot some hoops or jog to build a more exciting outdoor habit that you can continue at school. Get ready to be in your groove in between study sessions, whether playing pickleball on the Snyder Tennis Courts or finding your zen with some yoga on the Lawn.
6. Stay connected — and no, not just via Instagram
Summer can be a great time to get in touch with hometown friends, but it’s important to also keep up with friends from the University. Maintaining connections with those who support you at school is critical, and debriefs shouldn’t only take place at school. Staying in touch with college friends now can also get you talking about a time to meet up back on Grounds. Coordinate over FaceTime calls or leverage GroupMe polls to get some social time on the books. And if you’re feeling a little old-fashioned, you can send your friends a postcard or two.
7. Summon your inner Martha Stewart
For the many of you making the transition to a reduced meal plan — or no meal plan at all — use the summer to gain some new culinary skills and retain the basics. Once or twice a week, turn on the stove, oven, skillet or whatever heating device your heart desires. Try your hand at new and old recipes alike to add some new bites into the rotation. To really get yourself ready, practice meal prepping for the week. For a bonus, tack on a baked good here and there. Getting into this flow now will help you save time and money this fall semester.
8. Curate a playlist for all moments on Grounds
Music is a helpful tool for navigating different parts of your day. Music sets a tone, sometimes neutralizing even the crummiest of days and often being what you need in the moment. This summer, take a little bit of time to think about the music whose spirit and cadence fits everything you may do or feel in a day. Either set up one big playlist or create specific tracks for work, exercise, cooking and post-exam decompression. I’d go with pop, 80s, classic rock and country, respectively, but pick what works for you.
9. Make your semester must-do list
Every semester is filled with things you have to do, but what about adding in some fun bucket list items for yourself? When it is released, this year’s "Things to Do Before You Graduate” list will be a great place to start — for all students, not just for fourth-years. Previous years’ lists included painting Beta Bridge, attending the Virginia Film Festival and stargazing at Leander McCormick Observatory. And don’t forget to take a look at who's performing — this semester’s John Paul Jones lineup is pretty stellar with visits from Adam Sandler and Neil deGrasse Tyson.
10. Reflect and readjust
Take some time to look back to last year and make a plan to tweak what didn’t work — or wasn’t best — for you. Whether it be missing Corner hangouts to meet midnight deadlines or studying until 4 a.m., everyone has facets of college life they want to improve. For you, this self-betterment shift could include using productivity apps, outlining a gym routine or allocating specific evenings for social time. Whatever method you choose, stop being critical of your past self and start thinking about strategies you can use to lead a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
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