Winter break is a great time to spend time with friends and family, decompress from final exams and enjoy the holiday season. But beginning a new semester can be difficult, and the cold weather certainly does not help.
I remember dreading my return to school last year, but as I reflect on that period of my life, there were tricks I wish someone had shared with me to help me transition back into academia and succeed in my studies.
First, do not dwell too much on the fall semester. Whether it was your first or your last fall semester, agonizing over aspects you had hoped to improve or grades you hoped were better will not benefit you in the long run.
Instead, you can treat this semester as a fresh start. During my first spring semester, I made new friends which would not be possible if I kept dwelling on the fact I made very few friends my first semester. So, try striking up a conversation with your new classmates. You never know where it can lead.
Similarly, it is never too late to join another club, intramural sports team or other social group. I joined student radio in my second semester which allowed me to gain skills applicable to my field of study, as well as connect to students and faculty members who shared similar interests.
Starting the semester with good academic habits is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Attending lectures and discussions — even when it feels like a tundra outside — will allow you to establish a routine. Plus, you will have more excused absences to use when the nicer weather comes around.
While this may be hard for some, routines were crucial for my success, especially coming off winter break where I had virtually unlimited free time. Waking up at the same time and going to bed at the same time is a great place to start building a routine.
Spending less time on screens is a good way to start the semester. While scrolling through social media apps over break is a good way to take up time, time is something most students do not have enough of during the school year.
Screens are hard to give up, but you don’t have to eliminate apps from your life. You can set screen time limits, use an actual alarm clock and keep your cell phone out of your bedroom at night to make sure your phone is not the first thing you see in the morning.
Finally, taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do to set yourself up for success, even if it sounds cliche. You can try making time for one thing you enjoy each day or cutting yourself some slack.
You made it into one of the best public universities in the country, which means academics can be challenging, but the reward will be worth it. Best wishes for your spring semester! You got this!
