Can you believe it? It is the Fall semester of 2019! Where did the summer go? I have no freaking idea. Anyway, it is time to get back to the grind, pack up the summer tank tops and pull out the fall flannels.
The start of the new school year calls for a lot of things, but stress is not one of them. Getting back into the school groove should revolve around proper planning such as having your class/work schedule outlined and gathering what supplies you will need for classes. Planning, schedules and lists may sound like a lot of work, but in the end, all of this will pay off when you are gently easing into the school year.
For those of you who are freshmen, college may seem scarier but it’s much easier than it looks. A major part about easing your way into the college lifestyle is to push yourself out of your comfort zone. I know for me personally, I was terrified that I wouldn’t make one friend. However, being in this environment forced me out of my comfort zone and I was better for it. An easy and comfortable way to meet people is to just prop your dorm door open and put a little note on it that says something along the lines of “Come on in! Let’s be friends!” That may seem corny but it worked for me. I recall that some of the girls on my floor during my freshman year offered free food such as cookies and chips — what college kid is going to say no to free food? Overall, just don’t be afraid to get out there and make friends because there are hundreds of other people in the same situation as you.
Other than getting out there and having a solid plan, another important way to get back into the school mindset is balancing schoolwork, a social life, sleep and food. This may seem impossible but trust me if I can do it so can you. School, sleep and food should always be prioritized over a social life — specifically the party scene. A really great way to combine a social life and school work is to study with friends — as long as you remember to actually do your schoolwork. Similarly to eating, once you finally are able to eat, text some friends and see if they can get dinner with you. There will be parties all year long and every year you attend school, so remember they aren’t the most important thing in the world.
So, that’s all the advice I have for you. I hope it comes in handy, I know it helped me as a freshman and I continue to use it now. Remember scheduling, being outgoing, and finding balance are key factors in easing your way back into school and letting your worries fall away.