We know the excitement is building for your first semester as a Case Western Reserve University student. We will share additional tools and resources throughout the next few months; however, here are a few suggestions to get you started.
- Invest in a planner. Whether it’s online (e.g. Google Calendar) or traditional pen and paper, you’ll start off on the right foot with an organizational tool that works for you. It will be up to you to track your courses, assignments, involvement and more.
- “One small thing that made a big difference for me was using a planner to map out my week. Before, everything felt scattered and overwhelming, but after organizing my time, I felt more in control. It mattered more than I expected because it reduced stress and helped me stay consistent.” —Sachi, Class of 2028
- Download time management apps. There are a lot of great apps out there to help with your time management skills. Some of our favorites include:
- Evernote
- Remember The Milk
- Trello
- The screen time feature on iPhones (especially the App Limits feature) and Androids, as well as the Reminders app built into the iPhone.
- Accessible from Gmail, Google Calendar, your phone and your desktop, Google Tasks can be integrated into your virtual planner in numerous ways.
- Go ahead and create a resume. When you’re involved in co-curriculars, work or internships, think about how they fit into a narrative about who you are and what your goals are that you can communicate on your resume.
- Talk to your family and friends about expectations. How often should you call home? How can they best understand your life at college? What is the best way for you to keep the lines of communication open? While those questions and many more will come up over the next few months, start the conversation now. Chances are you’ll have to make adjustments along the way, but we’ve found that open communication is the best way to make the transition.