We’ve all been through the end of the summer break blues. We think to ourselves, “Can’t I just have one more month to myself, maybe just one more week? You know, to fix my sleeping schedule, squeeze a couple hours in the gym, look up cheaper textbook prices, maybe do a little more online shopping?” And like usual, the answer is always no. Whether you’re ready for it or not, school is just around the corner. Instead of dreading the mundane drill of syllabus week or whining about your jam-packed schedule, why not head into the new semester with a mentality that’ll make you feel like you can take on the world? Here’s three little snippets of how you can think your way into a fabulous semester! These are notes you will actually want to take:)
1. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
Waking up on the wrong side of the bed can be a real thing; the key word here is “can be.” Because the reality is, it doesn’t actually have to be. Starting off the day right—let alone the new semester—is all about your mentality. If you think you’re going to have a bad day, chances are, you probably will. If you expect bad things to happen, the Universe will deliver that to you. So, despite all the things that may hinder your good spirit, it’s important to think positively and expect the best. Sometimes we forget how powerful our minds truly are, how our entire morning, day, week and month can be shaped entirely by the way we think. So, don’t sweat the small stuff, because the truth is: shit happens. Be strong enough to move on, carry on and accept that things may not always go your way. It’s easier said than done but if you work on structuring and shaping your mind in this way, you’ll be able to better control your emotions and think your way back to your happy place. Try it. You’ve got nothing to lose.
2. Utilize your Power Words
In addition to developing a positive mindset to tackle your day, you may also find that “power words” can help bring you back into focus. Power words are strong adjectives that remind you of who you are, of what you want to be. For example, this semester, I’m working towards living a healthy and balanced lifestyle. In doing so, I really want to work on being my best self. And to me, that means being fearless, confident and focused. Those are my power words this fall. For others, it may be patient, optimistic, courageous, ambitious, conscious, kind, open-minded, honest, sexy, adventurous, compassionate, humble, easy-going, driven, wild or free-spirited. Whatever it is, make it specific to yourself. Think about who you want to be 5-10 years down the line and how these words will one day embody that. In moments when a nice cup of coffee or a three-hour Netflix binge can’t shake the stress away, fall back on your power words. Remember, this is what you aspire to be; this is how you want others to remember you as.
3. Create a Vision Board
I created my first vision board the summer before my freshman year; not because I was a brilliant and creative soul fresh out of the halls of my high school stomping grounds, but because I read about it somewhere. This was also the summer when I learned about how much I actually loved to learn, and I realized that a lot of that took place in worlds different from my own. I don’t really remember the name/author of the book that inspired me to actually buy a trifold and research Tumblr for two hours to find the best pictures to print out, but what I do remember is that creating a vision board helped me develop the right mentality for success in the years soon after. A vision board is great because it allows you to lay out your dreams and ambitions, and it reminds you of what you’re working so hard for. My vision board consists of different travel locations, role models, career aspirations, bucket-list illustrations and even a picture of the type of dog I’m going to cuddle with when I’m self-sufficient enough to take good care of one. Taking the time to reflect and get excited about your ideal life and living situation is not only fun but super empowering! You don’t have to go crazy and buy a science-project trifold like I did (I think I was feeling a little too ambitious and excited). You can also just create a small one, or even one that you can set as your wallpaper on your computer. It doesn’t have to be extravagant, just unique to you.