The first month back on campus after winter break can be tough. After spending an entire month in the comfort of your own home, surrounded by your family and your childhood friends, it’s impossible to not come back with just a twinge of homesickness. Second-semester classes pick up immediately, and professors already have high expectations for your success. It can be extremely overwhelming, and sometimes it seems impossible to handle everything all at once. The first semester begins with excitement and the promise of a full year of fun with amazing friends: some new and some old. You’re in a different room surrounded by different people; too busy to think about the sentimental things you might be leaving behind. The second semester is a whole new story. As excited as you are to see your friends again after spending a month apart, it’s hard to dive into college exactly how you left it before the holidays. The best way to readjust to a new semester is simple: you have to remember to take care of yourself.
Remember:
1. Find time to blow off steam at the gym when you’re up to your neck in textbook readings. If you spend too much time stressing and worrying, you won’t have the energy to tackle any of the tasks ahead of you.
2. Brace yourself. Do one thing at a time.
3. Allow yourself to take breaks. Watch Netflix or go to Cool Beans!
4. Forgive yourself for feeling overwhelmed. Tackle your assignments by managing your time and trying your best not to be distracted.
5. Remember that other people are feeling the exact same way. When you’re feeling homesick, talk to people about it. Call home when you need to and put effort into keeping in touch with old friends as much as possible.
6. Grab lunch or dinner with someone from your new classes!
7. Get involved in a new club or take on a stronger leadership role on campus!
8. Don’t be afraid to reach out to the people surrounding you when the “second-semester blues” start to hit.
9. Face the semester head on with the confidence to make new friends and get better grades. And, above all, never forget to put yourself first!