On overcast, chilly days, like today, I am reminded that ‘Back’ To School is fast approaching. Whether you are new to Queen’s or continuing your studies, here are a few things you can do to prepare for the upcoming year ahead:
- Plan Ahead: Start filling out a monthly calendar or agenda up to 2025. Write down upcoming deadlines, personal goals and notes of encouragement for yourself to keep you motivated. Staying on top of your commitments and being organized will hopefully reduce stress throughout the term.
- Seek Professional Development: Look for upcoming professional development opportunities such as conferences to present your research (see It’s Conference Season Part 1 and Part 2) or workshops to help you grow, (SASS has some great ones) or ways to volunteer and get involved in your department or community (see Clubs and Activities). Spread out these deadlines and opportunities throughout the term.
- Tie-Up Loose Ends: Balancing multiple projects, jobs, and studies can be challenging. Tie up any outstanding loose ends and projects. These might include work-study projects, TA marking, publishing, volunteer commitments and admin work including answering flagged emails. By crossing a few things off your to-do list now, you will set yourself up for a strong start to the term.
- Meal Prep and Snack Stock: Batch-cook some of your favorite meals to freeze and prepare some of your go-to snacks to have on hand. Hollyhock Cooks’ vegetarian, budget-friendly, nutritious, Lemon Lentil Soup is one I often make and freeze. Snack wise, I like to have a few healthy options on hand such as apples and peanut butter, veggies and humous, and popcorn. Having these ready will help on those hectic days ahead.
- Back it up! Back it up! Back it up! Here is your reminder to back up all of the hard work you’ve been doing over the summer term and update your operating systems. Admittedly, this is one of the things I let slide when I had a few too many things on my plate. And of course, this is when my computer crashed. Make it a habit to build this into my new routine in Sept - it will save you from future stress and headaches.
- Focus on your Space: Clean, reorganize and reenergize your space, both online and in person. Whether your spaces need a deep clean, a makeover or a light tidy, make theses spaces feel good to be in, functional and inviting. A fresh organized environment can boost motivation and also remind you to rest and take care of yourself.
- Recharge: On that note, take some to relax, recharge and of course have a little fun. Check-in with yourself and evaluate what you might need. Maybe it’s more relaxed with a bubble bath, a night in with your favorite book or a walk by the water. If you are feeling more adventurous, consider renting a paddle board or kayak at Ahoy Rentals, watching an outdoor movie or concert, or taking a free trip to Wolf Island.
Yes, September is coming, and you can start to prepare for it, but also remember to enjoy the remaining days of August!