Autumn Back to School Guide
It’s that time of year again: fall term. I have always felt the most motivated during the fall semester, and every year I make promises to myself which are inevitably forgotten. Whether it involves my not completing every class reading or missing office hours, there are usually certain concessions I end up making as the semester rolls along. You’re probably reading this and thinking, “So why would I listen to her?”
The truth is, we all do it. Making promises you can't keep, even trivial ones like stating that you’ll do your laundry but not doing so, is a part of growing throughout your post-secondary education. Mistakes are natural, and there's almost always a solution. For example, tackling projects like readings and completing them in smaller “chunks” might reduce the looming stress of deadlines. Going back to school can be stressful, but with the right processes, it doesn’t need to feel so heavy.
In short, there are certain things that can help us reduce our workload while still supporting productivity; the onus is on us to seek them out. I’m going to discuss some academic resources and events that I have found beneficial for the back-to-school season which may be helpful for you as well!
Academic Resources
Planning:
Planning ahead is one of the most important processes I have added to support my learning. There are a few resources which I have found especially essential, one of which being assignment trackers.
Assignment trackers are my lifeline throughout semesters because of how accessible they are for keeping track of deadlines! Every term, I take about two hours out of my day and organize all of my class schedules, my assignment deadlines, and my quiz/exam dates, and then I enter them all into a chart or google calendar. Although it can be a long, tedious process, the reward is more than worth it. Using an assignment tracker helps me stay on track for all deadlines and keeps me prepared for classes; it is truly an indispensable resource.
Another resource I like to take advantage of is study groups. Study groups are super helpful for learning, but they might not be helpful for everyone. Even if I am studying with people in different programs, having peers to bounce ideas off of is incredibly helpful for learning new ideas and for holding myself accountable during busy seasons. This isn't to say that group studying is the only solution; in fact, many prefer to study alone or find it easier to focus by being alone, so it is absolutely an individual preference.
Other Tips for Success:
In general, there are many things that any student can do to stay motivated throughout the semester, some of those being: attending office hours, taking advantage of library resources, and completing class readings. Admittedly, sometimes these things fall through the cracks as you get busier throughout the semester, but they are an incredible resource for making sure you fully understand class concepts.
I also find that choosing the right study spot has a large impact on how well I study. Studying in an environment that is right for you is important for maintaining your focus, and also helps keep long papers and reviewing enjoyable! My personal favourite locations on campus are Starbucks, Blenz, lower AQ, and the BPK lounge. My favourite off-campus locations include Forecast Coffee, any local library, Breka (for late night study sessions), and Grounds for Coffee. I find that cafes are usually a great place for me to study because the busy environment motivates me, but many people tend to dislike that aspect and work better in quieter locations.
Events
Attending events is a great way to stay active within SFU’s community, while also providing connection and networking opportunities to support your professional goals. There are many events that are hosted by the Communication Student Union (CMNSU), the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS), as well as other student unions.
For Communication students, the CMNSU holds entertaining events like movie nights, trivia games, and Evolve every year. Evolve is an event that combines fun activities with networking opportunities in order to promote Communication student engagement with each other and with professional panelists. Attending Evolve offers students a welcoming environment to make connections and friends, while also opening doors to valuable conversations with professors, professionals, and other key speakers. Another positive about Evolve is that it is an event that welcomes all students, not just communication students, which makes it a beneficial resource for making connections within SFU. If you’re looking to make connections and learn new perspectives, buy your early bird tickets now from CMNSU’s instagram bio or click here and attend Evolve on September 18th!
Key takeaways:
Plan ahead: a little goes a long way! Take the time to set up a planner for yourself so you can be organized throughout the semester.
Reconsider how you study: do you study better alone or in group settings? Where is the best location for you to study in? Reconsider how you study in order to increase productivity.
Take advantage of your resources: looking into resources offered by the school or library, attending office hours, and doing your class readings can have a huge impact on your focus and understanding of concepts throughout the term.
Attend Evolve and other school events: Evolve, as well as other events, provide connection opportunities and allow you to hear advice from panelists with real-life experience in the field. Evolve tickets are on sale now and the event is on September 18th, 2025!
Whether this is your first term at SFU or you're a returning student, this back-to-school guide might be helpful when thinking about your school habits and trying to stay motivated. The new school year can bring so many positive experiences if you lean into it, so I'd encourage you to go grab a pumpkin spice latte and enjoy your fall term!
