It’s That Time of Year – Here Are Your Back-to-School Tips for 2014!

So as summer comes to a close and you start looking ahead to your first year of university here are a few things to think about.

Get Involved
University is one of the rare opportunities you will have in life to reinvent yourself. This is it. Do it. Don’t be afraid. You are completely free to be the person that you want to be. Join as many clubs, teams and societies as you can, you’ll keep the ones you love and the others will fall off. No big deal.

People
University is all about friends. If you choose, these will be the friends you have for life. Value them.

Family
Indulge them with a phone call every once in a while. Tell Mum you love her, because she’s worried. Assure Dad his investment is secure.

Ask for Help
This institution was built to educate and support all students, and everyone here wants to help you. All you have to do is ask.

Nap
Try not to miss your morning classes and lectures because you’re hung over or tired. The good thing about being in University/College is that it’s perfectly acceptable to nap in the afternoon if you don’t have class. Sleep as much as you can, when you can. Especially when you get sick (because it is a when and not an if!).

Study
Take notes, but more importantly ask questions and be engaged in class. Study often but don’t burn yourself out, an hour at a time at most. If you’re tired and lack focus take a nap (20 minutes), then do some form of exercise, run around the house, dance, etc. Just enough to get you pumped, not enough to wear you out.

Intern/Work experience
Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Steven Spielberg all have one thing in common, besides being incredibly successful, they all started as interns. You get the idea.

Laundry
Much like writing essays and studying for exams it is way easier to do in smaller, more frequent loads.

Romance
Relationships are wonderful, beautiful and teach you a lot about yourself and other people. But remember that you are young, kisses aren’t contracts and this is your time to plant your own garden and decorate your own soul.

Sex
Be safe. Don’t be embarrassed to use protection and contraceptives. There’s more embarrassing things than buying condoms –this goes for both male and females – like having to visit the clinic.

Have Fun
You’ll spend the rest of your life working. Don’t be afraid to ditch the study group if your friends are about to do something epic you’ll be telling your kids about. And keep dreaming. Don’t forget about your dreams just because they won’t get you that job or internship.