Now that we are making our way into second semester at Ohio State, I wanted to reflect on my performance during the fall semester and thinking about in what ways I can improve. At the time this article is being written, in January 2026, I am in the second semester of my freshman year of college, which means a lot of things. First of all, I made it through my first semester of college, with all its trials and tribulations, and I feel more acclimated and adapted to the college environment. There wasn’t too much of a harsh change, given I have done this kind of move before (sort of). While many struggled with uprooting their lives and being surrounded by the unknown, I felt at ease (not to brag, of course). However, the first semester had its own challenges. So, I am writing this to remind you all, and myself, of things that we could all probably improve on this semester. It’s time to make the final push through to the end of the school year. Here are some things you can do to make it easier and not burn out.
Scheduling
Your schedule is important for many reasons. It determines what time you need to wake up, when you have free time, when you are able to eat your meals, and what you are spending your time on. You have to determine what will be best for you, your body, and your habits. If you are a night owl, maybe don’t schedule that 7 a.m. Pilates class at your local gym. If you’re more of an early bird, don’t depend on your body to be fully awake and aware during an 8 p.m. lab. Take note of your internal schedule and adjust your class schedule to match. As an extra note, be sure to leave time during the day to get food, study, move your body, and rest. If this means leaving your afternoons free, or not doing most of your homework until the weekend, then go for it. You know yourself, so pay attention to what you need and schedule accordingly.
Healthy Habits
I’m sure we have all heard the random statistics on how long it takes to build a habit, and with the New Year having just passed, it is more likely on the forefront of your mind. “How can I make myself healthier and happier this year?” I’ll tell you how: it is by building conscious habits throughout your day that benefit you. For example, before I go to bed, I always make sure to shower and wash my face, to both physically and mentally wash off the challenges and stressors of that day. I put on a clean pair of pajamas, and I will sit at my desk and do my skincare. No distractions, no devices, just a relaxed five minutes putting moisturizer and creams on my face. Not only is it self care, and very important for skin health, but it also can help to wind down from the day. In addition to that, it also helps to prep your body and mind for bed.
Another healthy habit I have started practicing is filling my water bottle before bed. Typically, I have drank all of the water before I get into bed, so I will go fill it and leave it on my desk. That way, the next morning I will have a full water bottle that is ready for the day, and I can start hydrating as soon as I get up.
Planner
I don’t know about you, but occasionally I will sit in my room with nothing to do, wasting my time watching TV or Instagram, then, the next morning realize that I had a reading to do for my 9 a.m. class. if you want to avoid falling behind or procrastinating this semester, I would suggest making a planner or putting your assignments onto a calendar of some sort. I use Google calendar, and it is extremely helpful to look over what I have to do that week and plan out when I can get assignments done and make sure nothing is late. This also can be helpful if you have an assignment that you think will take you a while, as you can add a reminder a week or two before to get you working on it.
Hobbies
Who knows, maybe this year will be the year of some new hobbies! Dive headfirst into a craft like knitting or crochet, or maybe something more social like hiking or working out! In addition to the endorphins these things bring, hobbies can also teach you a new skill, introduce you to new people, and help you to take a break from your academics (when you need it) instead of going on your phone. Replace your scrolling with a walk around your block with a friend, or doing a 15 minute yoga video. Taking breaks is more than okay, but a good way to take advantage of that time is to try something new, or at least, non-technological.