Preparing to Go Back to School (Returning Students Edition)

If you’ve been here a while, you probably don’t need anyone to tell you where the tunnels go or how slow the Tims line in Nideyinàn is after class. But even returning students can use a reset before the term kicks off. Maybe you took a full course load this summer or maybe you haven’t even opened your laptop since April; regardless, here are a few ways to ease back into school-mode without the stress.

Sort out Your Courses Early

Before things get busy, log into Brightspace and Carleton Central (log in through Carleton360) to make sure your courses are showing up, your schedule makes sense and there aren’t any last-minute surprises. Some profs post their syllabus early, and even if they don’t, you’ll still want to check for textbook info or welcome messages.

If you use a calendar or planning tool, start plugging in your classes now. Colour-coding would be a great way to see how your week is shaping up and avoiding scheduling too much on your busiest days.

Set Goals

Now that you’re past the trial and error part of figuring out how university works, you can use that to your advantage. Think about what went well last year and what didn’t. Were you constantly pulling all-nighters? Struggling with group work? Submitting late assignments? Maybe it’s time to adjust your habits or reach out for support sooner than later.

Just because you’re a returning student, you shouldn’t feel shy about reaching out to Carleton’s support teams. Regardless of whether you’re in fourth-year or in first year, all students are welcomed and encouraged to access university supports.

Here is a list of supports you can reach out to (both academic and wellness):

Academic Supports:

• The Centre for Student Academic Support (CSAS) offers learning and writing support.
• The Science Student Success Centre (SSSC) for science student support.
• The Academic Advising Centre can help you understand your audit and ensure you are fulfilling your degree program’s academic requirements.

Wellness Supports:

• Carleton’s Health and Counselling Services
• Wellness Services Navigator for anonymous, confidential resources on campus and in the community
• The Wellness Desk in 204A MacOdrum Library is a space to learn about resources, connect with our Wellness Coordinator and decompress during stressful times of the year.
• Therapy Dogs are friendly, certified dogs who regularly visit campus to help students de-stress, especially during busy times of the year.

Reconnect with People

One of the best parts of coming back is seeing familiar faces again. Message a classmate, make plans with a club or just say hi to someone you haven’t seen since exams. Getting back into a routine is easier when you have people to do it with. You could even arrange study groups for when the term begins.

And if you’re feeling like you want something new this year, check out a new club or event by checking out Carleton University Students’ Association’s (CUSA) list of over 170 clubs at Carleton. You don’t have to be in your first year to try something different.

Figure out the Logistics Beforehand

Do you need to test your tech? Replace your Campus Card? Figure out what textbooks you actually need? Do that before the first week hits. Those little tasks add up fast once classes start. Also: if you’re on the hunt for cheaper books, check out the Carleton Campus Store’s used section or even Facebook Marketplace to find a lightly-used copy for half the price.

Start Warming up Your Brain

Let’s be real here: going from summer brain to full academic mode can be rough. A week or so before classes start, try to slowly get back into the rhythm; go to bed a bit earlier, skim a reading or organize your files on your laptop to keep your documents organized going into the academic year. You don’t need to go full Hermione, but easing into it helps the first week feel much less intense.

CU back on campus, Ravens!