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Alas, where have the holidays gone? Oh, how I long for thee! 

While my Shakespearean-esque prose may need some refining, with a new semester upon us, it's time to start fresh with good intentions and habits to help us stay on track for the months ahead. Just as I refine my words, here are some tips to help you refine your semester reboot.

Planning is Key

Writing out important dates, such as census dates, assignments, and personal commitments, can be a real lifesaver. It can help avoid unwanted surprises like in one weekend, you have two assignments due, a friend's engagement party, your mum's birthday, and work! Some people prefer to keep organised on their phone or computer, while others like the old-school approach of a written diary. I like a mix, but having a semester planner on the wall with essential dates can save you a lot of stress.

PASS

Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) are a great way to get help with studying in an informal, supportive environment. These free classes are run by students who have excelled in the subject, so they have firsthand experience with the course and understand the difficulties you may be experiencing. PASS sessions can be a lot of fun and are a great way to connect with other students. The small class sizes allow for a more intimate learning environment than large lectures, which can be more inviting for people who may feel a little lost and anxious in big classes.

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre is a fantastic resource where you can book one-on-one appointments to get personalised help from a learning advisor. They also offer drop-in sessions and writing workshops. Having fresh eyes look over your work, provide immediate feedback, and discuss concepts and ideas to improve your writing is invaluable. While online tools like Studiosity are helpful, nothing beats human interaction and live-time feedback.

Breakfast Club

, run by Student Care, is a great initiative that ensures students are well-nourished for the study day ahead. Located in G10 in the Harley Building (On Kintore Avenue), the Breakfast Club is open from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Tuesday through Friday. They offer a free breakfast consisting of cereal, fruit, a muesli bar, yogurt, and tea or coffee. Make sure you get there early because there is only a limited amount of food available daily.

Access Plan

To all my peers with an Access Plan, remember to submit it to your course coordinators in the first week! For those unaware, an Access Plan is available to students with disabilities, health conditions, or carer responsibilities that impact their studies. Access Plans can make the university experience less overwhelming and give you a better chance of succeeding in your studies. 

So get out there, seize the day, and good luck with the new semester! As Shakespeare said, "Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt." Remember to believe in yourself, treat a failure as a learning experience, and put yourself out there: the only person stopping you is yourself.