We've reached the halfway point of Fall semester, and most college students are likely getting pretty tired by this point. Physically tired, emotionally tired, academically tired? If that's not a kind of tired you can be, it should. I think most of us feel academically tired. Just two week sago we had a two-day school week because of Fall break, and by Wednesday of last week everyone was thinking "It's Friday right? We've had three days, the school week is supposed to be over now, right?" Odds are you're getting tired at this point too. But the midpoint of the semester can be great! It doesn't have to be an academic doldrums of tiredness. So here are some ways to liven up the midpoint of the semester.
1. Get into a new Netflix show, preferably with your roommates
Friday night is Netflix night in my apartment. Most recently we've been binge watching Reign, but of course it can be anything depending on your taste. Having a fun new show obsession is a fun thing to look forward to all week, and it can be a good way of getting some new excitement into your everyday routine. But don't get too obsessed, you are still in school after all.
2. Think about your goals for the semester
Remember at the beginning of the year, when you had so many ideas about everything you were going to accomplish and all the new people you were going to meet and the relationships you were going to build and the interests you were going to pursue and the new skills you were going to cultivate? ...Yeah, I'm guessing a lot of those got put on the back burner when classes started up, huh? Now is a great time to revitalize some of those non-school-related goals or hobbies in a more realistic way. Now that you have an idea of your schedule and what you can reasonably accomplish in a week, you can pick which of those goals are your real priority that you want to make time for in your life right now.
3. Make a new friend, or reconnect with an old one
Towards the middle of the semester we tend to write off a lot of things until the Spring. Do you think it's really any more likely to get done then? So if you have a friend you've been meaning to catch up with, or an acquaintance you've been meaning to get to know better, there's no time like the present! Make a weekly coffee date with someone, explore something outside your campus, or invite someone over to share your new Netflix obsession.
The halfway point of the semester can seem dull, but it doesn't have to be. Use the second half to apply what you learned from the first quarter, make some new connections, and remind yourself that you only have so much time in college, so make the most of it while it's here!
