As winter break winds down and it's almost time to go back to school, the feeling is bittersweet. On one hand, being back in my dorm room and being back with my friends is going to be great. But at the same time, leaving my family and friends at home is always hard for me. This is beginning to become almost routine for me, as the feeling of being in college and on my own becomes more and more familiar.

However, I know that for many of my friends, this is not something they are used to. After going through the stress of your first semester, it can sometimes be hard to go back to school and do it all over again. So, I figured I would compile a list of things that helped me to get back into the college mindset.

1. Go back a few days early

I know being home is comforting and lovely, but waiting until the day before classes start to head back to school won't give you enough time to get used to being back. It may sound ridiculous, but that extra day or two to get settled in will really help with your mindset.

2. Get rid of the negative influences of the first semester

Whether it's a toxic person in your life, a former partner, or even that bottle of tequila in your dresser, you need to try and cleanse yourself of all the negatives in your life. Your second semester is a time for you to build on the foundation you had the first semester.

3. Start waking up earlier

Take it from someone who's been going to bed at 3:00 and waking up at noon for the better part of two weeks, you're gonna need to start getting used to waking up at school times, especially if you have 8:00 am's.

4. Wait to buy your textbooks

If you haven't learned this from last semester, you don't need to buy every book. Wait and see if your professor will actually make you use it.

5. Keep in touch with friends

The second semester isn't going to be easy, just don't forget to keep in touch with the people who got you through the first one!

6. Get some notebooks

If you're someone like me who uses their laptop for the majority of their school work, it can seem like notebooks are just annoying. However, in the beginning of the semester, it's always a good idea to have at least two physical notebooks, because there will be some teachers who won't let you use a laptop in class.

7. Organize your supplies

Taking the time to organize your planner or dividing your classes into separate folders on OneNote is very important. I know it can come off as "busy work" or just plain annoying, but you'll be thankful when you're not scrambling later like some people.

8. Coordinate with your roommate(s)

Coordinating your schedules with your roommate(s) is something that's both easy and extremely beneficial. Letting each other know where you'll be and when you'll be there will help avoid any unwanted and awkward situations.

9. Keep in touch with your family

Yeah, they can be annoying, but they are going to be the ones who will always have your back and in your corner. I can honestly say that my family is half the reason I've done as well in school as I have done.

College is a stressful time for everyone, especially for someone in their freshman year. Some people don't do as well in their first semester as others do, but that doesn't mean they should give up. One bad semester does not define you as a student. If you struggled your first semester, buckle down and raise your self up. For the those who did better, don't let it get to you! Remember what helped your first semester and re-apply it to this one! And no matter, what; never think you are better than someone because you have a higher GPA than them.

Your GPA does not define who you are as a person!

Stay wonderful my friends