Let’s face it, going back to school isn’t always the most thrilling experience and it oftentimes brings about mixed emotions; the summer is over, cold winter will soon be creeping in, and the glorious days of fun in the sun and freedom will now be replaced with studying, class, and seemingly endless responsibilities. The wave of a new school year, however, can also be viewed as a fresh start and a time to start anew. Here is a lovely list of things that you can do to not only better yourself, but to also soften the blow of getting back to hittin’ the books.
1.) Go Shopping
Ever heard of the wonderful phrase “retail therapy”? Spicing up your school year with cute supplies or décor for your dorm room or apartment is a great way to add a splash of personality and fun to your academic life. It makes it a lot easier to stay organized with a pretty pink agenda book or a zebra print binder to store your papers. Home décor for your study space will also make it a lot more enjoyable to do your schoolwork in and will make studying and staying on top of things a little more fun.
2.) Work it Out
Get a gym membership or use your university gym. Whether you want to lose a few pounds from the horrid freshman 15 or to simply get in better shape, adding exercise to your daily routine is a great way of relieving stress and keeping your body healthy.
3.) Find a New Hobby
Do you like taking photographs? Drawing? Playing golf? Playing guitar? Whatever your heart desires, making a little extra time in the day to do something you love really makes a difference in your overall happiness and adds richness to your life. Having a hobby or two can really bring enjoyment to the blah-ness of the typical school day. It brings something into your life that you can look forward to, because the day-to-to redundancy of dreading tests and going to class gets old fast.
4.) Find a Part-time Job
Make some extra cash and gain real-world work experience by finding a part-time job. There are always opportunities on and off campus for students, and many places are happy to work around your school schedule. Not only will you be earning an honest paycheck, you will also develop great people skills and have the ability to meet others.
5.) Snag an Internship
Gaining experience in a field you want to work in or one that you are interested in will not only be positive and interesting, but it will also spice up your resume. Post-graduation means finding a job, and having experience on top of your degree can go a long way, especially when it comes to getting into your desired field. It will set you apart from others who have the same academic background as you and will be an experience you can learn from.
6.) Make New Friends
Of course you always have your core group of a social circle, but meeting new people on campus can be a great way to help stay on task in classes (especially if you miss a day or two), form study buddies, and who knows? You could meet your new best friend. The college setting is an excellent way to be meet and spend time with people who have similar interests and goals, and they are great to have around as someone to talk to (they can understand all the stress you’re under!)
7.) Reward Yourself
So you’ve been studying non-stop for a test you’re terrified of passing. You wind up acing it. Celebrate! Buy yourself something nice, or take a day to just relax. You can also help yourself to study or do homework on days where Mr. Motivation seems to be missing by setting up rewards for yourself. For example, “If I study all day today, I can go out tomorrow.“ These tactics will help keep you motivated, succeed and more closely be able to see the light at the end of the dark, sometimes gloomy tunnel known as schoolwork.
8.) Make Special Plans/Go Out
Take a night of the weekend to go somewhere you’ve been excited to try out, like a new restaurant, that crazy club down the street, or the new store that just opened up. Going out and mingling with your collegiate peers is a wonderful way of meeting new people and having fun. Don’t stay in when you’re friend wants you to go have dinner and dancing (even though you feel like doing nothing at all but watch MTV and eat snacks in your pajamas). Throw on your cutest ‘fit and hit the town.
9.) Set Goals
So you want to lose a few pounds? Or save up enough money to get a new awesome laptop? Start practicing the art of goal setting now. The most successful people oftentimes like to make a list of goals they want to achieve, and these can be both short and long-term. Studies have shown that a person was more likely to obtain a desired goal by writing it down first. This method will help you accomplish what your heart desires and keep your eye on the prize. It will not only get you want you want, but help you develop into a more achieving individual.
10.) Volunteer
Volunteering your time to the less fortunate is a priceless way of bettering the world around you. It will also help how you feel about yourself, which is always a plus! Pick something you are really passionate about, whether it be spending time with seniors at a hospital, taking care of animals at the local shelter, or feeding homeless families at the soup kitchen. You will love giving your energy and spare time to a needy cause.