By The Princeton Review
The offseason may seem far away but it is never too early to start thinking about winter or spring classes now. Waiting will only add pressure to get it all done and force you to miss out on a class or two because a deadline passes.
Here are some reasons why winter or spring is a great time to start this endeavor:
- Focused Learning. It doesn’t help when you are juggling your job. Courses take time as well as endurance. With no scheduled workouts, your “workload” time commitment is much slower and you can focus on just one or two courses and take the time to get extra help from your instructor. The offseason will be a unique learning time that may provide the extra boost you need and with more focus, you can study and practice harder and ultimately see better results.
- Balance. With more time in your schedule and the free flow of the offseason, you should have a better ability to manage your work/life balance. Lower anxiety and pressure plus more freedom in your everyday activities will allow you to take your courses in stride and keep your academic skills fresh.
- Feel Productive As You Move Closer To Your Goal. By not delaying taking additional courses, you move another step towards finishing what you started. Every inch of your academic enrichment makes it seem more possible to hit your goal. Feel a sense of accomplishment.
- You’ll Have A Good Answer To “What Are You Doing This Offseason.” Instead of the “I don’t know” or “uhhh” or “nothing,” you get to tell people that you are keeping busy with school. This shows them your stick-to-itiveness and I am sure they will be impressed.
- Sticking To A Routine. During the season, it's pretty easy to fall into a sort of rhythm. By keeping yourself active with courses, you'll be able to keep your momentum and work ethic up. If you don't stop working, that work ethic doesn't go away. So stay in the swing of things.
- Exercise. Anatomically, your brain isn't a muscle, but treat it that way; although it contains a bit of muscle, it's predominantly gray and white matter, with cellular structure and function far different (and more complex) than that of muscle. However, there's good reason why many people compare the brain to muscle – in both cases, the "use it or lose it" principle applies. Mental stimulation improves brain function and reduces the risk of cognitive decline and related diseases. Mental stimulation or "exercise" helps the brain grow stronger, faster and better able to complete the millions of daily tasks it is charged with, from memory to problem solving to attention; not to mention controlling every aspect of the rest of the body. Dedicate yourself to doing the same by committing yourself to lifelong learning. This will help you stay mentally sharp for when you are back in season.
- Expand your Safety Net. The sooner you finish all your courses, the more time you will have to devote to your career and/or next phase of your life. This will give you more options and a stress free future (or at least less stress).
In a nutshell, continuing your education should challenge you and your brain every day and has many additional advantages.