When planning your classes factor in how long the break between your classes will be. Some students may want a 15-minute break, just long enough to get across campus to the next class. Others may prefer a several-hour break that allows them to focus on something productive. The time between classes can be very productive if you utilize your time wisely.
Everyone’s schedule is different. If possible, I want you to plan your schedule with the least number of breaks. This will keep your day moving along swiftly and keep you focused. Time is a valuable resource, you don’t want to be sitting around campus wasting time because you’re waiting for your class to start. However, you don’t always have the option to control what time classes are offered and you’re bound to have some semesters with breaks between your classes. When you do find that your schedule has class breaks, here are a few things you can do to be productive.
Study And Do Homework
The best way to use your time between classes is to study or do homework. This is one of The Top Tips To Getting Good Grades. Read a chapter, go over notes or flashcards, or complete a homework assignment. Study for an upcoming quiz or exam or work on a project. Squeezing in a little study time here and there is a great way to stay on top of your coursework and increase your comprehension of the subject.
Go To Work
Depending on how long your break is fit in work. We can all use the extra income. It can be a full or part-time job, a side hustle, or a job on campus. If you have a few hours in between classes and you work off campus, see if your employer will work with your schedule and allow you to fit in a shift.
If your time in between classes isn’t as long, fit in a side hustle. Side hustles are a fantastic way to make extra money. A few great ones are, Uber or Lyft driving, delivering food, groceries, or office supplies with DoorDash, Uber Eats, Postmates, Grubhub, or Instacart. If you are talented get on Fiverr, Upwork, or Etsy. Can you speak fluently in another language, if so find translator jobs through sites such as Translators Café, Gengo, and Upwork. If you have a great voice and reading skills, become an audiobook narrator at Audible, Voices, Upwork, or Fiverr. Resell items on eBay, Amazon, or Poshmark. As you can see there are a lot of good side hustles for college students.
If you don’t have a side hustle or there’s not enough time to fit it in, try to get a job on campus. Typically, on-campus jobs are more flexible with scheduling. Students can work in the dining hall, the campus bookstore, the library, and campus offices. If you are strong in a certain subject, you can also be a tutor (on campus or through online platforms). Depending on your major, you can be a teaching or research assistant.
Work on Your Resume, Cover Letter And Job Applications
Use your break time in between classes to work on your resume and job applications. Your resume is vital to job searching. Hiring managers and recruiters must comb through hundreds of resumes during the hiring process. A study done by Glassdoor revealed the average hiring manager or recruiter spends 6 seconds reading a resume. You only have seconds to make a good impression so make the best of it by polishing your resume. Make sure your resume is well organized and formatted. Keep it up to date.
When you are applying for a job, your resume should highlight that specific job. This means you will adjust your resume for every position you apply for. You can also utilize your time on campus to schedule a meeting with your college’s student career services to have them give you feedback on your resume, help you in writing a cover letter, and connect you with job opportunities. You can also utilize the time to, Clean Up Your Social Media Profiles Before You Send Out Your Resume.
On Your Break Fit In Some Exercise
Instead of grabbing a bite to eat during your break between classes, utilize the time to fit in some exercise. Pack your workout clothes and hit the campus gym. See if there are any group fitness classes such as circuit training, yoga, or cycling nearby. If you don’t have that much time throw a pair of athletic shoes in your backpack and have a quick run, jog or walk around campus. Find some stairs or even bleachers, climbing stairs is an excellent workout. Anything to get your body moving.
Scheduling a workout, even if it’s quick, is important to your health. Not only will exercise boost your energy level, but research also shows that exercise is a great stress reliever. Additionally, exercise is a natural treatment to help fight depression and anxiety. Boost your mood and get in shape at the same time.
Visit Your Professors During Office Hours
Your college professors are a valuable resource who are often not fully utilized. Beyond providing academic support, professors may be able to advise on which courses to take, how to participate in campus and community activities, help with resume development, recommend internships, and give career advice. A professor can also serve as a professional reference for you if you apply for graduate school or a job. Office hours are the perfect opportunity to get to know your professors, ask for advice, discuss homework or assignments, and discuss any issues you may be having in their class.
Utilize Your Campus Resources
Campus resources make it easier to get through college. Many of these resources are free. When you have a break between classes be sure to check some of them out.
Tutoring
There will be classes that are more difficult than others throughout your academic career. Instead of struggling on your own, consider seeking the help of a tutor. Many campuses offer tutoring for free. Find out if your campus has tutoring for the subject you’re taking. Tutoring may be offered in a one-on-one or a group format. Don’t hire a tutor or pay for tutoring until you know what resources are available to you for free.
Career Services
The student career services offer an array of opportunities for students. Most campus career services include assistance in resume and cover letter writing, mock interviews and interviewing techniques, and connecting students with job opportunities that fit their skills and degree path. Career services constantly have a database of internship or job opportunities that are looking for undergraduate students. They might be able to help you find and apply for these opportunities before you graduate.
Financial Aid
If you aren’t certain what financial aid you’re eligible for, the financial aid department can help you. There are several types of financial aid such as grants, scholarships, and loans. Here at Your College Sensei, I want you to avoid student loans, regardless of whether they are federal or private student loans. I want you to graduate debt-free. Know that any loans offered by your college’s financial aid department can be turned down. Instead, I want you to go to the financial aid department to get assistance to apply for grants or scholarships.
Advisors
College advisors are trained to help students choose which classes to take to graduate. A college advisor may be able to give you helpful information about what classes to take and can review your academic plan with you to ensure you’re on track to graduate.
Health Services
Most colleges offer free or discounted health services for students. Whether you’re experiencing a cold or other physical illness, most campuses have walk-in times for students to get access to affordable healthcare services. Additionally, most colleges offer counseling services and crisis centers or hotlines to help students who need extra support. Ensure you know what services are available to students at your college.
Recreational Services
Many campuses offer students free access to high-quality facilities, a student pays for access to these recreational services in their tuition costs. Your campus has a gym or training center that all students can use. Visit your campus gym to see what amenities are available and if there are any group classes you can participate in to stay active.
IT Department
Some colleges offer technical assistance. Students that have a device crash or stop working should reach out to their college’s IT department to see if they can help. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the IT department and ask what assistance they provide to students.
—Sensei