After a long and eventful winter break, it's finally time to get back to the books. Winter break is nice since most of us can sleep in and not stress about assignments. The transition from break to the new semester is like switching from 1st gear to 4th with no in between. But with a new semester comes a fresh, clean slate.

The best part about a new semester is the sense of clarity and the fact that we can start fresh. All new classes, new professors, new classmates, and a new schedule. Although this is said at the start of every new semester, "this will be the best semester ever!" seems to play through my mind over and over again. With the beginning of a new year, I can't help but tell myself that this will be the most successful semester I've ever had.

Another feeling that the new semester brings is the sense of responsibility we try to take on. At least towards the beginning of the semester, I find myself in the library more, doing my homework first thing after class, and really putting in extra effort to succeed. We go from having so much free time over the break to having to take on tens of credits and we try our best to conquer everything in our way of relaxation.

Undoubtedly, the best part of coming back from winter break is getting to see all your friends again. One month seems to feel like a century when it comes to being separated from friends. The best feeling in the world is reuniting with the people who you spend all your time with. Let's be real, it's a little weird not being around your roommate 24/7 over the break, so coming back to your dorm or apartment is like filling a hole that's been empty for a month.

Now don't get me wrong, the new semester isn't all rainbows. The list of the cons of the new semester could go on and on. Having to wake up early, having to trek through the snow in the coldest hours of the day, having to take on a huge work load, and so on and so forth, are not necessarily the easiest things to adjust to in such a short notice- nor are these things we are happy about. If you're not a Flagstaff native, the cold is the hardest thing to get used to.

Starting a new semester is always difficult but also very refreshing. It's a new beginning, and we have the power to be as successful as we want to be, as long as we put the effort in.