Thrown into the Cold Abyss: Back to School
You were sitting there in your living room in your warm, fuzzy socks, wrapped in a blanket and cozied up next to the roaring fire place. Classical music sweetens the air, and you are lost in a good book, while flakes fall silently out your window. Your attention is diverted, and you glance at the calendar. No. Noooo. NO. Monday, January 11th is tomorrow. The start of the new semester. You fall on the floor, screaming in agony at the thought of being thrown into the cold abyss that is “going back to school.”
Well, perhaps, it did not quite happen like that for you, but at least that’s how it sort of felt. You go from relaxing days with no homework, to rushing around, running constant errands, working, and attending classes. The change can be overwhelming for some. Luckily, there are plenty of active steps you can take that will streamline that change and make your life a little easier.
- Write things down. Even if you are not a usual list maker, when the semester starts, there are tons of little things one must accomplish, and it all can get overwhelming very quickly.
Making a list of everything will get them out of brain, allowing you to focus. Also, this allows you to prioritize what needs to be done.
- Develop a routine. Sticking to your lazy holiday ways will not get you too far when it comes to school work and campus life. Figure out a schedule that works best for you. Utilize your time, and THEN you can be lazy, without thinking about all the things you still have to do. Simple, right?
- Actually READ the Syllabus I will admit, there have been times where I did not read the syllabus. Because of this, in one of those classes, I missed out on an assignment due date. I also asked a lot of unnecessary questions to the professor that I could have easily found in the syllabus. The syllabus is basically your How-To-Guide to ace that class. It contains valuable information that will give you an edge and a head start for that particular class.
- Do something fun, and get off campus. You haven’t seen your friends for three weeks. The first week of school demands time and business out of you, so it is important to take some down time for yourself. Gather up your friends, and get a hot drink at Mochavino. See a movie in the newly remodeled movie theater. Go bowling – the moving will warm you up! Build a snowman. (Not a Frozen reference.) Whatever you plan to do for fun, get your mind off of school for a bit. This, in turn, will help you to refocus.
- Second Semester – Second Chance. In a way, if you didn’t do too hot first semester, the second semester can be a form of a second chance for you. You know what not doing well on an assignment or in a course feels like now. You know the anxious feeling you get when you are rushing to turn something in on time. You’ve been there. And you know that you can improve. The mistakes of last semester should push you to improve for this semester. Happy New Year and Happy New Semester!
