This post is intended primarily for those of you who are in school, particularly new to seminary. Consider it something of a New Year’s resolution suggestion from me to you. Last night I was thinking about my time in school and some of the things I did in an attempt to make the most of my time. So as many of you will be starting a new semester in less than a month let me offer a few ways you can one make the most out of your time when so much is being required.

• Read two books before the semester begins. At the end of each semester I would contact my professors for the following semester asking them for a copy of the syllabus or to tell me of at least one book I had to read. I would then make it a point to read at least two before the semester began. Here’s why it was helpful: It kept me ahead on assignments at the beginning of the semester, and I was right on time by the end when papers where due. I never felt too overwhelmed or crunched for time.
• Start the languages early and stay committed.  For most of us there is a natural fear and dread of learning languages because of the time commitment and effort required.  Thus, many students put it off to the end of their degree.  Don’t do this! Start your languages in the first or second semester.  Granted, languages aren’t easy, but if you spend 15-30 minutes a day reviewing, you’ll be amazed at how much you’ll retain.  Furthermore, the value of knowing them is priceless.
• Put extra effort into one book and one paper.  The amount of pages you have to read and write each semester can be overwhelming.  And unless you’re unusually gifted like “Double G“, then there is no way you can take it all in.  Therefore, some of the best advice is learn to “gut” a book, i.e. understand the author’s thesis and basic argument.  Otherwise, find one book at the beginning of the semester that will grab your attention and pour over it till its deadline.  The same should be done with at least one paper on a challenging topic.

So those are just a few ways I would recommend making the MOST out of so MUCH during this upcoming school year.

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