Grieving the end of your friend, summer 2011? Follow these tips to get excited for back to school:
1. Set the mood: Get yourself some fresh flowers for your room and make yourself a killer playlist for your homework sessions and first all-nighter. A new bedspread in your favorite color, or rearrange your room can also help you have a new persepctive. It all starts with the little things that surround you every day.
2. Eyes on the prize: Mark your calendar or planner with things you’re looking forward to, like your next day off of classes or fun fall activities you’re planning with your friends. The more things you have to look forward to, the less likely you are to miss the memories you made this summer. And we most certainly won’t judge you if you’re already counting down the days ’til Christmas break. (I do it too… in different colors in my planner… sometimes when Christmas is still 2 months away…)
3. Put some spring in your step: Exercise has been proven to improve your mood and give you more energy, so what better time to start your new regime than the beginning of a semester? Ease yourself into some cardio, running, or even try out a group fitness class. And yes, it’s okay if count you power-walking from the Paramount to Walker as part of your workout for the day.
4. Window shop: Instead of wishing you could take your daisy dukes for one last joy ride, immerse yourself in visions of upcoming fashion by taking a stroll down your favorite shopping strip. Soon you’ll be thinking your summer garb is “so last season” and looking forward to something new.
5. Ease on down: It’s okay if you don’t feel quite ready to dive head-first into back-to-school season yet. You don’t have to give up your summer traditions just yet. You’re still allowed to wear your favorite flip flops, go out to ice cream whenever you want, bask in the rays on the common, and sip your Dunkins’ iced coffee like there’s no tomorrow.
6. And if we’re being technical…: Summer doesn’t even technically end ’til September 23. If you’re in denial, you have until then. And more than likely you already are or will be on way. If not… move to somewhere warmer, and send me a postcard.
7. Hit the books: Sharpen your reading and writing skills by picking up a page-turner and challenging yourself to finish it before your next exam. You’ll be feeling more academic and ready to take on your note-taking from massive textbooks in no time. That is, unless you’re like me and read nothing but Chelsea Handler this summer. In that case, you’ll feel like you want nothing to do with school.
8. Stock up: Buy yourself some cute notebooks. This works just like it did in middle school, right? Maybe not, but it doesn’t hurt to whip out some stylin’ suckers from Urban Outfitters or Target. While you’re at it, get yourself some glittery pencils too. Why not?
9. Set goals: Who says resolutions are only for New Years? You’ll feel more prepared and motivated at the beginning of each semester if you know exactly what you’re working towards. Give yourself a few personal and academic goals, write them down, and hang them on your wall. Also, I don’t know about you, but I’m more likely to stick to my goals if I write them on a pretty piece of paper (I’m only kind of kidding).