I’m Daniella Snyder, a first-year graduate student at Villanova University, and your newest ‘Cat in Falvey Library’s Stacks. I’ll be posting about academics– from research to study habits and everything in between– and how the Falvey Library can play a large role in your success here on campus!

The start of a new academic semester is always really exciting. Between fresh school supplies, new classes and professors, and the new calendar year, there’s an opportunity for personal change and growth. Now is the time to change those study habits, make time management a priority, and make personal health and wellness a priority. Consider this list just the beginning of ways to make this new semester the best semester.

1. Take organization seriously.

The planner or calendar isn’t helpful if it’s empty. Write down those deadlines and weekly assignments, categorize emails by class, and color-coordinate events by topic.

I highly recommend using the Outlook calendar. It’s easy to use, and it sends me push notifications on my iPhone an hour before every event. That way, I’ll never forget a meeting, appointment, or a birthday.

Once organization becomes part of the daily routine, it becomes simple. Efficient organization easily lends itself to academic greatness. Start organizing today!

2. Work smart, not hard.

This mantra can translate to a lot of things, depending on the person. For me, it means remembering to use my professors’ office hours and asking questions when something doesn’t make sense. For others, it could mean not waiting until the last minute to write that term paper, or going to the Writing Center before you submit it.

The Falvey Library would argue it means going to a subject librarian for help with projects, writing assignments, or general research questions.

However it translates, work smart this semester, and success will follow.

3. Take care of myself. 

Use this semester to prioritize personal health and wellness. Great work cannot be done without physical and mental health and stability.

Villanova has a top-notch health center, complete with counselors and psychiatrists. Additionally, this campus has state of the art fitness facilities, and a dozen fitness classes this semester. Sign up for a fitness class, start training for that half-marathon, meet with a nutritionist, or talk to a counselor about academic anxieties and stress.

Use Villanova’s resources to help, heal, and grow this semester.

4. Try something new. 

I think there’s some age-old adage that goes something like, “Without change there is no growth.”

Make this semester “new.” Join a new activity or club, find a new study spot, or even start a new Netflix binge. While some of those choices may lead to more growth than others, it leads to growth nonetheless.

Blanking on what to try? The Internet has tons of articles offering guidance on new things to do, visit, or see. Check one out here.

Happy spring semester, Wildcats!