After the holiday break and the ringing in of the New Year, getting back into the swing of things at school is probably the last night on your mind. To me, it feels different than coming back to school after the summer because I seem to feel more motivated by having a fresh school year. With the Fall semester still somewhat lingering, the motivation for the Spring semester is as low (or even lower) than the freezing temperatures outside (which doesn’t make it easier either). Despite having a lack of motivation, it is so important to get ahead and attack the semester head on, no matter how much you do not want to.
Here are some easy ways to get ahead before the craziness of the semester really begins:
1. Create a healthy routine
Creating a routine, especially in the first few weeks, is so important to the success of your semester. Whether it be adjusting to your new class schedules and working around meal times or figuring out when/where you can see friends, it is so important to allow your mind to feel like it’s getting the job done.
2. Making time for yourself
Especially in the first few weeks, getting used to being back at school in general can be really hard – your sleep schedule is different, the food is different, maintaining friendships, a new class schedule – the list could go on. It is so important that you allow yourself to have some you time in order to take a step back, relax, and ease your way back into your crazy life at school.
3. Making time for friends – old and new
The most rewarding lesson I have learned is to appreciate those who appreciate you, meaning take the time for those who bring value and positive vibes to your life. The best way to do this is to diversify – go out of your comfort zone!! Talk to people in your classes or reach out to someone who you think would be a good friend to you! One of the great things about college is that it is an opportunity to find yourself, and one step to doing so is finding your people who make you a better you.
4. Exercise
This can be so hard to do at college with our busy schedules and thinking that you do not have enough time in the day to exercise. The best time to implement this into your routine is throughout the first weeks of the semester, that way you can get used to it. I personally let the first week be about adjusting to my class schedule and seeing when I had the most free-time. Going into the second week, I used that knowledge from the first week to then figure out a gym schedule that I can stick to for the rest of the semester. When you work on yourself physically, you feel better mentally too – and it helps with getting better sleep at night!
5. Staying ahead of assignments
I would classify myself as an in-between procrastinator. I get things done somewhat early, but also wait until the last minute too. Staying ahead of assignments will allow you to feel accomplished, which then in turn makes you feel good about yourself (who doesn’t love that?). Not only that, but it eases your stress level, as well as frees up more time in your schedule later in the week to do things you actually enjoy, instead of having to miss out on an opportunity with friends because you have work to do.
Whatever you find helps for you – stick to it! I know in the first few weeks we may feel like we are on top of things, but as we dive into the semester it gets more difficult to stick with it. Keep these tips and others in the back of your mind and allow yourself to enjoy this semester with ease.
Have a great semester & stay warm!
HCXO
Sam