Getting Ready for School Part 2

There are so many of us who are going back to college, later in life, that I asked a few friends to share what they do to prepare. Depending upon how many classes you have, getting ready for school takes planning and time.

Here’s the first one from my friend Lisa Luke Easterling:

Susie asked what I do to prepare for school. I am preparing for five classes again this semester, and am currently in my second semester of a specialized four-year elementary education program. Here’s what I do:

1. I set up a to-do list on Monday of each week. I list each subject and any homework, reading, etc. that needs to be done for that subject under its heading. I cross off each item with a highlighter as it is completed.
2. I set a personal deadline of Friday night at midnight for all homework assignments (unless they are due before that, which is unusual). This is earlier than most work is due, but this gives me a margin for making sure I finish ahead of time (it stresses me out to get anywhere near the real deadline). This also (ideally) leaves me the weekend to spend with family and/or chill and read something fun, or pre-read for the next week.
3. I love Frixion pens. They rock my world.
4. I use a 5-subject notebook for notes, one section per class. This keeps all of my notes in one place.
5. I print out the syllabus for each class and place it into the pocket in front of the text binder, or tuck it inside the back flap of the textbook if there is no binder.
6. I hole-punch handouts for classes with Binders, and collect those handouts in other classes in folder pockets I keep in the small binder where I keep my Comp/Lit materials.
7. I keep all of my books, materials, tools, and supplies either in my rolling backpack or in my tote bag, which always goes with me to school.
8. I carry my laptop in its bag whenever I think I will need it. I sometimes carry my tablet, just in case.
9. I usually carry such items as paper clips, graphing calculator, extra calculator batteries, ruler, protractor, pens/pencils, erasers, safety pins, highlighters, stapler/staples/staple remover, extra folders, index cards, sticky notes, white out pen, tape, scissors, pocket calendar, hand sanitizer, stylus/pointer/flashlight pen, and (most importantly) candy.
10. I recently purchased an MLA/APA quick reference guide for about $5. and I keep it in my Literature binder

I have an office where I have a desk with a pullout computer keyboard drawer that frees up my desktop space for books and papers. I keep a tray table to my left side where I often keep my textbook open while I work on the computer. My drink warmer sits on a little tray table to the right of my desk. All of my supplies are close at hand, either on my desk or on one of the side tables. My magnetic whiteboard/bulletin board is on the wall directly above my desk. I pin pictures of my family there to keep me smiling through my work. I am usually burning a scented candle, and I often turn on soft instrumental music or my sound machine set to “rain”. The view from my office window is the lake outlet behind our house. I keep wind chimes and a bird feeder just outside the window.

I am often asked how I manage five classes and still have a family life. My husband and I are not quite empty-nesters, but with only our youngest daughter still at home and her working two jobs and going to college, it is often just the two of us. Gone are the days when our little ones were all at home (we both miss those days terribly), and now we have a great deal more time on our hands.

I am a later-in-life student after having homeschooled all five of ours through high school over a 25-year period. My always-encouraging family says, “Now is your time!” So here I am, and I am loving being a student again. I set a homework deadline for myself that is a full two days ahead of the real one, and the reason for that is to allow time for family. I recommend that students build time into their schedules for enjoying those family moments that nothing can replace. May God bless you as you continue in your student life.

Lisa never ceases to amaze and impress me. She is also and author and beautiful woman of God. I love how real and transparent she is which is what drew me to her. You can purchase her books by clicking on her name: Lisa Luke Easterling

You can read more about Lisa and follow her here: www.lisaeasterling.com

That’s all for this edition! I hope to bring you more back to school sharing.

©2015 Susie Glennan
All Rights Reserved.