It can be difficult to get your brain into “school mode” after being away for Winter Break. A month of Netflix and friends can make it difficult to face the reality of starting school again. After being back at school for a few days you realize the workload for this semester and try to figure out a plan for the upcoming months. These tips can help your transition back to campus and ways to have a successful semester.
1. Settle in and unpack.
Coming back to school after a month break can be a little overwhelming. You need to stock up on food and pack everything you will need for the next few months. One of the first things you should do when you get back to campus is unpack. Take the time to put away all your close and all your items back in their spots. Unpacking can clear a cluttered mind. Now you can focus on seeing your friends you have not seen in a month!
2. Meet new people.
It is is great to see all your friends from last semester, but a new semester means new faces! Different classes second semester can help you meet new people. The campus is scattered with new faces to meet. People are transferring into the college or coming back from studying abroad. This semester is a time to open up and introduce yourself to more people!
3. Get more involved on campus.
A new semester means more chances to join new clubs and activities. Check and look out for if your school has an activities fair or flyers for new student organizations! It would be a great chance to see all the school’s clubs in one area. Clubs are a great way to meet more people who share similar interests to you! There is a good chance the school has a club for any interest. If not, try and start your own club because there are probably many other students who want to be involved with the same interest! If you are part of multiple activities you have a chance to have a variety of different experiences with new people!
4. Organize your life.
With all the classes and assignments, it can be difficult to remember what date matching each commitment. One word: Planner. For me I write down everything I have to do for classes and life in my planner. It is a great way to visually see what you week and month consists of. There are many different outlets to help you organize your dates; your phone, printable calendars, and physical planners can help you sort out your assignments and meetings. For a little extra organization you can color coordinate your items to help create a clear picture of what you need to do!
5. Eat healthy.
Being back on campus you have a lot more access to delicious food. Where else is it acceptable to order Chinese at midnight? One tip for starting your semester off right is to eat a healthy diet. It is important to get an appropriate amount of protein to fuel those late night study sessions! Healthy eating can help your body feel better and more alert. Instead of opening the bag of chips, try eating an apple instead!
6. Exercise.
Along with eating healthy, a way to make a more successful second semester is to try to exercise. Exercise can be anything from going on the treadmill or doing workouts you found on Pinterest. You can alternate different days with different exercises. It does not have to be anything extreme! A little daily exercise will help your body become fit and help you feel more awake. It can be difficult to get into a routine a first. If this is the case, select certain times in your day for “gym time”. (Maybe even put it in your planner!) Incorporate the time into your day and make it a requirement, similar to if it was a meeting or class. The daily exercise will help your body greatly over the semester!
7. Take a break!
It can be really overwhelming to transition back to balancing classes, meeting, events, and most importantly, your sanity! Do not forget to set aside for yourself to relax. This is extremely important for your mental health. Sometimes you just need to take a step back from your work and unwind. Maybe watch an episode of your favorite television show, hang out with friends, or listen to music. It is essential to remember to take the time to relax from a busy schedule.
These are just a few tips that can help you have a successful semester. I wish you the best of luck with the next four months of classes. You got this!
