Before the Semester Starts.

Ahh, school.
You can see it just around the corner.
For me personally, my first semester of college was one for the books...literally and metaphorically.
I honestly have never done that much studying in my life....
So, these are a few of the things that I've learned and do to get ready for a new semester and to keep myself truckin' the rest of the way.

1. Packing.
Packing your entire life in a couple boxes sounds terrifying, but it really isn't.
You don't have to take EVERYTHING with you...no matter how much you think you need it.
When I was packing for school for the first time, I felt like I needed to bring everything with me.
My older sister kept telling me that I wouldn't need everything but I just kept ignoring her.
I got to my room and...well....not everything could fit.
So this is what I suggest:
Buy a couple plastic tubs: they stack inside of each other, you can use them multiple times, AND they're pretty awesome when it comes to weather.
I always label what I put in them and this comes in handy when you're packing and unpacking.
While packing, pick out the clothes you plan on taking; whatever anyone says, you don't need to take every item of clothing you own.
I usually roll my shirts (space saver!) and divide them to keep them weighted evenly (so half-denims and half-shirts).
For other items, like towels, bedding, or your personals, I personally suggest either packing them together, or pack a small tub of towels and bedding and your personals in a suitcase.
It makes life a little easier.

2. Organization after moving in.
The first thing I do when I usually get to wherever I'm living is make my bed.
I know it sounds a bit weird, but if you make your bed first, then whenever you are to the point of falling over, your bed is already made and you can just hop in.
The next thing I usually do is set up all the shelves & etc. that I brought.
After that, I figure out what I want to go where.
I usually end up moving things around multiple times.
Now, when it comes putting away clothes I have several techniques.
I use Wonder Hangers in my closet.
These things are magical; you can fit a ton more clothes in your closet, and they're budget friendly!
From there I separate my "normal" clothes from my dressier things.
My dresser is probably my favorite; jeans/pants in the bottom, [other] shirts in the middle, and personals in the top drawer.
Everything else you brought, do what you will.
I have a number of posters on my walls, and my favorite thing to use are Command Hooks.
Command Hooks are AMAZING!
I use them for posters, towels, the lights I have hanging around my room, cables, and things of the sort.
[Side note: Ladies, they work wonderfully for hanging jewelry.]
They make my room look tidy and organized.

3. Classes and Professors.
The worst thing about signing up for classes for the first time is that you have no idea which prof is the best.
There are a couple of ways to find out if a prof is good or bad.
    -Asking around is always a positive way to go.
    -There are a couple of websites that usually let people rate and comment about a professor. I've used the site, http://blog.ratemyprofessors.com/, and have had pretty good luck.
    -The weirdest (and probably most difficult) is by looking up a certain profs past class averages. I usually would go in and talk to my adviser and he would do it for me. Nonetheless, this was extremely helpful.
Be sure to be prepared for class; being over-prepared isn't a bad thing.
I usually have multiples of nearly everything; I end up losing one thing or running out of another.
Be sure to meet your professor--meeting your professor can come in handy later on whenever the end of the semester is drawing near.
Don't be afraid to meet them, go in multiple times, and ask questions.
When you sign up for classes, it can feel like a fight to the death.
Be sure to plan your schedule out entirely.
I like using online spreadsheets; I use Google Drive and Sky Drive (just depends on what I feel like).
I write down all of the class times, section numbers, and CRN's.
When it's time to sign up for classes, I just copy, paste, submit, and boom!
Just in case a class fills up before you sign up, have a back up class...always.

4. Planners.
Some will say that these things are silly, but they're lifesavers.
I recommend having 2.
I usually keep one in my bag and one in my room.
Once you get the syllabi for all of your classes, write down all of the due dates (tests, projects, assignments), important events (meetings, games, concerts, etc.) that you want to go to, and schedule study times.
Planners have saved my butt and grade multiple times.
Plus, putting these things in your phone and setting reminders help.

5. Sleep.
Sleep is soooo important.
When you think of college you either think of studying, or nonstop partying..
Well, that can put you in a bit of a rut.
Getting 3-5 hours of sleep a night is a bad idea.
My first semester of my sophomore year was like this.
I was basically an undead zombie..
And my grades?
Oh man......they suffered immensely.
Come the next semester, I promised myself changes, and the first of these was getting enough sleep at night and take naps on the days I knew were going to be long.
By doing that, I was getting sick less often, making it through the day with plenty of energy, and my grades started going back up.
Telling your friends 'No' every once in a while is completely okay.
You have to think about yourself and your health and sacrificing a few hangouts is okay.

So, these are a few of the things that I learned and that I do to get ready for the semester.
I hope you find some of these helpful!