1 Why ruin my Summer/Winter break?

Getting a head start is one of the most effective methods to improve academic or career performance. By distributing some of the necessary efforts to at least one week before a semester starts, a student can “hit the ground running” when a semester starts.

2 Logistics

In the context of this article, the term “logistics” refers to the procurement of resources that are necessary for academic success.

2.1 Time

Time is a precious resource, and it is crucial in the learning process. A lack of time is often the first domino to fall, meaning that not having enough time triggers a series of problems for learners, such as anxiety, lack of sleep, etc.

The unit count of a class suggests the proper of time that is necessary. Generally speaking, for each hour of lecture time, two additional hours should be scheduled for homework, studying, note reviewing, etc. Time budgeting is easier for fully in-person classes because there are scheduled lecture sessions. For online classes, it is a little more involved to calculate how much time is needed.

One semester unit of lecture is 18 hours of lecture. This means that for a 3-unit class, the average total lecture time is \(3\times 18=54\) hour. As a result, a 3-unit class requires \(2 \times 54=108\) hours of out-of-lecture time for homework, studying, reviewing notes, etc. This is a total of \(54+108=162\) hours!

The duration of a class is also an important factor for time budgeting. A 16-week full semester 3-unit class distributes 162 hours over 16 weeks, translating to an average of 10 hours per week. However, a compressed 8-week 3-unit class doubles the amount of times per week to 20 hours per week. Using this calculation, taking two 8-week 3-unit classes in the same 8-week session requires 40 hours per week, and that is equivalent to a full-time job!

If you are taking an in-person class, also factor in time for commuting.

2.2 Space

In addition to having a sufficient amount of time allocated, it is also crucial to have a space for class-related activities. Whether a space works well for you depends on many factors. Generally speaking, a distraction-free space helps most people concentrate.

When you are on campus, there are many options to find a space to study or to do your homework.