Is that the sound of your alarm clock going off for class? It’s that time of the year again. It’s time to open those new notebooks, dust off your backpack and make sure to charge your laptop. Welcome back to a brand new school year, Badgers! Although we are back on our favorite campus, things obviously may be a little different. You may have a different class schedule or you may have some online classes. This year will be a lot different, but everyone is going to be adjusting to a new way of life on campus, but there are things everyone can do to make this year just as memorable as any other.
- Take advantage of the free time you may have.
Obviously, the entire student body was a bit disappointed to find out there will be no football to spectate this fall. Maybe some of your classes were moved online. The school Unions may not be functioning the way seasoned Badgers remember them or the way new Badgers may have heard about them. Countless things will be different this year that may take some getting used to. Therefore, you may have more free time. However, there are many ways to put a positive spin on something you may have seen as very negative. Instead of dwelling on these changes, find something new to participate in. For example, join a club or organization that you are willing to put time and energy into. You may find something that you are passionate about or make new friends on campus. You also could explore the city of Madison outside the school. I never took the time to navigate my way around the area by the capitol before this summer. There are cool restaurants and businesses that I would never have known about or took advantage of if I wouldn’t have taken the time to explore this area! Lastly, you could find a job! Having extra spending money in college is very convenient. If you have a few extra hours in your schedule during the week, make some money!
- Stay active.
In college, it can be hard to stay active and motivated. It is important to get rest and sleep, but it is also vital to keep on top of things! Making time in your day to exercise or get your body moving can be very important. For a lot of students, walking to class may have been their primary form of exercise. However, some classes got switched to online instruction. Therefore, you may not be trekking up Bascom Hill to get your calf workout on your way to class anymore. Therefore, finding daily ways to exercise that fit your schedule is very important. Keeping an active body can help you keep an active mind to stay on top of everything you will be juggling when classes finally start. For example, find a B-cycle rack and ride one around campus or the Capitol, take daily walks on the lakeshore path or even lift canned vegetables as weights once a day. Find something to keep your body going that is not unrealistic for your schedule. Do whatever you are comfortable with!
- Keep your fellow Badgers safe!
In this uncertain time, it will be imperative to lean on each other. We are responsible for keeping our campus and all the students on it safe. Everyone has become so used to everyone advising you on how to stay safe during COVID-19; however, the information stands true! Wear your mask and stay home if you feel sick. Take care of yourself and be cautious of other people. We are experiencing overwhelming things and information, including the professors and officials at the university. No one wants this school year to be different or for students to miss out on anything we were looking forward to experiencing on campus. Therefore, if we take the essential steps now, hopefully, our beloved campus will be back to normal soon. We can do it, Badgers!
With this advice, hopefully, this unconventional school year can feel as normal as possible. Happy 2020-21school year, Badgers! We are all in this together!
