After being away from my university for nearly ten months, I couldn't wait to return to FSU this semester. Even though all of my classes would be online, returning to a school atmosphere gave me a lot of hope for a great year ahead. Now that I'm here, I want to make the most of the campus I love and the classes I've chosen to take. After being a student at FSU for nearly two years, I'd say I have a pretty good idea of how to make this semester you're very best- socially, academically, and professionally.

It begins with surrounding yourself with a strong community of people who value the same things you do. This can be done by joining Greek life, intramural sports, a various range of school organizations, or volunteering in the community. The people you surround yourself with, really can dictate the kind of lifestyle you find yourself living. Especially as a freshman, dorm life can be isolating; if you find yourself living on campus, however, there are more ways than you think to stay connected to the people around you.

Get Involved

The Mount Holyoke News

Joining clubs has always been my go-to method of making new friends and finding new interests. At FSU, we have more than 500 registered RSO's. This means that there is literally an organization for everyone, no matter your identity. Getting involved also gives you the opportunity to try new hobbies or explore areas of interest that are outside of your major.

Explore New Places

Tallahassee Magazine

If you live on campus at FSU, you know how easy it can be to stay in your school and work bubble. If you don't try hard enough, you may fail to notice all of the great places to explore around the campus. Cascades Park (Above), is the perfect place to go on a run after class or go on a picnic with friends during a day off. You can also visit St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge which has nature views and is definitely a great escape from the busyness of downtown Tallahassee Life. Don't forget about the food! Restaurants around FSU are some of the best, in my opinion. Try out Lil Masa, Cancun's, Guthrie's, and other Tallahassee favorites that you're sure to enjoy.

Plan Ahead

Unsplash

Using a planner everyday is the key to organization and easy success. Currently, I use an hourly planner that lets me schedule my day down to a tee. I include my self-care time, social hangouts, classes, study hours, and more days in advance so that stress won't come as easy. So far, it's worked! You can also rely on Google calendar and similar methods to keep track of your "to-do's" if you don't carry your planner everywhere you go.

Get Career Advice

Twitter

At FSU, the Career Center really is a lifesaver, and probably one of the most underrated resources on campus. Not only does the center provide great resume and cover letter templates; qualified staff can sit down with you to help you tweak small details before your interviews. For professional development, the Career Center offers mock interviews, networking resources, and advising sessions. Preparing for honor societies, honors in the major, and graduate school couldn't be easier.

Exercise With Friends

Live Science

Working out may not be something you do everyday, but if you can make it part of your weekly routine, you'll see some surprising results. For one, exercising will give you a lot more mental clarity and relieve large amounts of stress. If you can find a workout routine to do with a friend, you'll be more motivated and excited to hit the gym. Exercising will also give you the perfect opportunity to take a study break and do some self-care.