We all have those moments when college becomes nothing but an endless void that stands between us and our next nap. This feeling is particularly strong when coming back from a long break.

Instead of wishing to skip to being an organized 20-something (and I'm told that it doesn't get much better there, either), we can find our motivation and breeze through these next four years effortlessly with these tips!

1. Five Stages Of Grief

We yearn for the days of elementary school (let's be honest, maybe even high school) when life was so much simpler! Assigned topics, five paragraph essays, and simple addition are sorely missed after the first semester. Don't live in denial. Put on your game-face, and meet the new semester head-on.

2. Be Friends With EVERYONE

It doesn't matter who it is. The girl down the hall who likes to party, the guy upstairs who set off the fire alarms one too many times, the cleaning staff, dining services, your coach, Public Safety. Everyone. Remember what Mama taught you and always be respectful. It's always nice to see a friendly face when you're walking across campus, and you never know what valuable life lesson you'll learn from your experience with them.

3. Communicate CONSTANTLY

Network, network, network! It's never too soon to start, and it's not just for the job-search. Even the "Hello" to the cleaning lady, or "Have a great day" to your professor as you leave count as networking! It's a great way to show that you're engaged and motivated. Soon, you'll be recognized, and your professors will quickly learn that you are genuinely dedicated to your education.

4. Take Notes To Really Remember

Take as many handwritten notes as you can in every class. (Don't skip, either--the less information you hear second-hand, the better.) Studies have shown that the tactile (touch) input increases information retention.
If you want to remember even more, use different colored pens! Stay away from blue and black, and you can increase your memory by up to 80%. Soon, you'll be correcting your professor. (It's happened!)

5. Try Something New

Sometimes we need some experience outside our comfort zone to realize what we can do. Try a new sport, club, or job; anything you'll have fun while doing! Every experience can help you towards your goal.

6. Balance Your Schedule

Find a method of time management that works best for you. (I don't go anywhere without my planner and Outlook.) Schedule time for class, work, studying, exercise, squad time, and "me time," and stick to it. Schedule = Sanity.

7. Keep "Me Time" as Free Time

No matter how crazy your workload gets, don't sacrifice your down-time. Even if you love your friends, you need a little quiet too. Commit to yourself and your relaxation... you'll thank yourself later!

8. "Hi, my name is..."

Form your own "support group." Make friends who understand the stress of your classes ("Professor X assigned what?!") and don't be afraid to lean on each other. Maybe staying up until 3 a.m. "writing papers" (getting distracted by new topics with your document on your screen) isn't the best idea, but sometimes those 10 p.m. runs up and down the hall yelling about your class are the best stress relievers. A few weeks in, you learn your squad is a blessing.

9. Be Realistic

Recognize what you can and cannot do, but don't write yourself off immediately. Set small, achievable tasks to help you reach your ultimate goals. Write a list of goals to be accomplished each day, and cross them off your list as you go. It's okay to write things down after you've done them, just to feel successful when you cross them off-- Hey, I woke up today!

10. Be Scared--And Use It

If you're anything like me, your first feeling towards most situations is anxiety. That's okay, but the trick is not to let it consume you. Feel afraid, feel uncertain, but channel that nervous energy into become productive and successful. You can bring out the confidence you never even knew you had!

So maybe success at college requires some effort. Thankfully, with objective attention and dedication, these next four years are not nearly as daunting. It's okay to have some rocky times, to learn through trial and error, and succeed--it'll all play a role in getting us to our dream goals. We'll get there.

Here's to a new semester!