Getting ready for a new school year? It’s normal to feel a little stressed about starting a new year. Fortunately, there are ways to manage it and ensure a smooth start to the new school year. Here are some tips to help you get ready, set up a study space and dress for success!

If you’re not familiar with your college or university, it’s a good idea to visit the facilities in advance, if they’re open before the start of the school year. Where is the library, the cafeteria, the labs? In the early days of the semester, knowing where to go for whatever reason will make you feel more confident and save you time.

The great thing about post-secondary education is that you can check out the course descriptions and even sometimes the schedule in advance, the course materials you’ll need to buy, the required readings and so on. Why not get your hands on these materials as soon as possible and start reading? That, too, will give you confidence.

In addition, don’t wait until the last minute to complete the many tasks involved in starting a new school year: getting your student card, registering for arts and sports activities, transferring documents to confirm your enrollment, etc.

When you were in elementary and high school, maybe you never had a proper desk to do your homework, or maybe you just had a little kids’ desk. College and university require a better setup to study properly.

Of course, your office furniture needs to fit both your available space and your specific student needs. For example, if you’re an architecture student, will you need not one, but two screens in front of you? Will you be consulting books or keeping a lot of paper documents?

Depending on the answer, you’ll have no trouble finding an office desk to suit you: compact, narrow or with a large desktop. Basic or more complete, they’re available in L or U shapes, for two or more screens, with filing drawers, shelves, power outlets and even LED lights. They’re not that expensive, especially since it’s an investment that will serve you for many years to come.

Any software application that can make your post-secondary studies easier is welcome. And there are several that won’t cost you a penny! For example, are you familiar with Dropbox for document backup, Google Drive for team projects, or Cram for exam preparation?

Check them out. And choose a program to plan and stick to your budget, as well as a good time planner.

Starting college or university often leads to wardrobe changes. Before doing so, check whether your institution has a dress code. Some institutions prohibit patterns, logos and baseball caps. A mid-length dress or skirt, baggy jeans with a plain T-shirt, shirt or cardigan… these are smart choices for a casual yet trendy look.

If you don’t have any restrictions to consider, maroon hues and checkered patterns are very much on trend. Both stylish and practical, these two “shades” lend themselves to a wide range of outfits, and pair perfectly with the grunge-style ensembles of the 90s that are still popular today. Classic denim is still a favourite. Gold touches and leopard print add a touch of whimsy to your outfits. A cape or extra-long coat is also popular for a distinctive touch, while a hoodie or round-neck sweatshirt will go with everything.

Finally, you should choose quality clothing over low-cost, low-durability options. Ultimately, it will be better for your wallet.

Happy back to school!