To my spring semester self: I'm going to make you some promises that I will try my best to keep. If I don't keep them all, we'll aim for a perfect fall semester in 2016. After a hectic and extremely stressful past couple of months, I'm going to work extremely hard to make life easier for you, self.
I promise to stop trying to do all of my homework on Sunday night at 11:30 p.m.
Yeah, yeah I knew that the assignment was due online at 11:59pm all day. But spring semester self is going to start working on homework earlier on Sunday. Let's aim for 3pm. Maybe even 4pm. Anything would be better than waiting until it's almost midnight to complete three online assignments, an essay, extensive reading for class, and much more.
We are going to the library more.
You and I both know that if we try to do homework at home, it doesn't get done. I would honestly rather do three loads of laundry and wash every dish in my kitchen than study for an exam. And if I'm at home, there's just too many distractions. So, more library time, more studying, less aimless cleaning.
Let's hit the gym more than negative three times a week.
Anyone else in that slump where you tell yourself you're going to the gym? You even lay all of your gym clothes out and set aside a time in the day to go... and somehow you still end up watching Netflix at home eating cheese dip. Spring self- we are going to the gym. No more excuses, we are aiming for at least twice a week. Remember spring semester self, you have to worry about that spring break bod. Fall semester self is only worried about holiday food right now, you have a lot of work to do.
Stop drinking so much caffeine.
I might as well have coffee and espresso running through my veins at this point. There's no problem with a little caffeine kick, but at this point I'm basically a full blown addict. Spring semester, let's try not to drink half of our daily calories in coffee, soda, tea, frappuccinos, and more. Try to get more sleep instead of relying on caffeine to get you by on three hours of sleep. ***Disclaimer: I already know I'm not keeping this one, just had to put it in there for formalities. Sorry self.
Don't let the mountain of clothes in your closet and across your room grow on a day to day basis.
Seriously self, just put your clothes up. How is it that hard? Do your laundry once a week, and hang the clothes up when you're done. After you wear something, hang it up or put it in the laundry basket. Soon you're gonna have no clothes left, and you will have to search through the avalanche of clothes on your floor to find that one shirt you have to wear tonight. And it's probably wrinkled and stinks. Love yourself, spring semester me, don't do this.
Don't stress out so much.
Spring semester self, I know you will have a lot on your plate. But don't let the stress overwhelm you like it did in fall semester. Work smart, get your stuff done, but don't forget to give yourself some time to unwind. Don't run yourself to the point where you have nothing left in you.
Stay off of your phone.
If you are with your friends, be present. Don't waste your time on your phone or on social media when you could be soaking in time with people you love. Pictures are important, but don't be so wrapped up in posting something to social media that you miss the point of hanging out with your friends. These days won't last forever, spring semester self.
Be knowledgeable, don't be ignorant.
Even though I know you will have a million things to do, spring semester self, spend more time reading. Know what's going on in the world around you. Take time out of your day, every day, to read the news, brush up on what's going on around the world, do some of your own research. In this day and age, the only excuse for not knowing is being lazy. Don't be lazy, don't be ignorant. In light of how much bad there is in our world, do some good and at least be informed. Be able to carry yourself in an argument and stand up for what you believe is right.
Talk to your family more.
Take the time out of your schedule to send your mom a text or give your grandmother a phone call. It doesn't take much time, you really aren't sacrificing anything at all. But in the long run, it means so much. Don't let your life get so busy that you cast aside your family in the mass chaos that will likely be spring semester.
Set goals and meet them.
Don't sell yourself short. We both know that when you set your mind to something, the only thing stopping you from achieving it is you. So this spring semester, set some major goals for yourself. Then, work hard until you meet those goals. Apply for that internship, work harder than you ever have at school, challenge yourself to make a good grade in that one class you hate. Don't let a lack of drive be the thing that holds you back. Set some goals for yourself (maybe likewriting a letter to your future semester self?) and meet those goals (yes, even the one about the caffeine).
