Every student deserves to enjoy their time away from school and focus on themselves for a while. But after any break, students must get their brains back into school mode. Whether it be summer, winter or spring break, it can be a struggle to get back into the swing of things once that break comes to an end. Every student feels the dread of having to adjust their schedule in order to have a productive and successful semester.
The Learning Commons at Parkland College is a resource center that you may not know about. We had the chance to talk to the Learning Commons Director and Academic Development Specialist, Sue Jones, about some tips and tricks on how Parkland students can finish the semester strong.
The following are some mindsets and rules to implement in order to have a smooth transition back into your school routine.
- Make a schedule
Making a to-do list at the beginning of every week and mapping out your daily tasks can help you organize your week efficiently. Being able to look at your daily tasks in something like a planner is a more reliable reminder of what needs to be done than relying on your memory.
2. Keep organized
“Get all your stuff and put it in a place, so that when the break is over you know where all your stuff is,” said Jones, “If you know that you are going to be on break, put all your stuff in one place so that you’re able to pick it up and look it all over before you come back. So, you can say, “Okay, where am I in all these classes?”
3. Don’t get in your head
“Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed or even feel overwhelmed. You know a lot of time you do have reason to be overwhelmed,” said Jones, “but don’t be afraid to talk to counseling and advising.”
You can reach out to Parkland’s counseling services HERE. Never be afraid to reach out for help. Parkland’s counseling center also provides academic advising that offers support to students looking to complete their degree or plan their future.
4. Set goals
Setting daily goals is a step toward setting life goals. In addition, daily affirmations also help positively impact your mindset. Research has shown that daily affirmations improve education, health, and relationship outcomes, with benefits that sometimes continue for months and years.
When we do not master our minds, we risk building our lives on a foundation of flimsiness. Here are a few ideas of daily affirmations that you tell yourself:
- I am confident in my ability to learn new things.
- I accept my emotions and let them serve their purpose.
- My mind is full of brilliant ideas.
5. Peer tutors
The Learning Commons offers free tutoring. Peer tutors are students who have excelled in a certain class. Whether you are looking for help or to help someone, reach out to the Learning Commons.
“We have peer tutors that help with chemistry, math, even psychology, and many more subjects. If you just ask, we’ve probably got somebody that can help,” Jones explains. “We’ve got actual professors and professionals here too, and that’s what a lot of schools don’t have.” Jones also suggests bringing your friends. “A lot of times what happens is you realize your friends could also be struggling too.”
You can set up an appointment with the Learning Commons, or you can just walk in. You can call the main desk at 217-373-3839 for more information.
Do not be scared to reach out for help. The Learning Commons also has school supplies that are free to students in need. The Writing Lab is also available to students, which has resources to help with all kinds of writing assignments. For more information or to contact the Learning Commons, click HERE.
