Dear Reader,

Happy New Year and welcome back to reality!

This article is for you. It is to encourage you and welcome you back into your every day normal routine. I understand that returning back to school after a long break can be depressing. Not only are the holidays over faster than they began (or so it feels like), but it is also colder and miserable- that is for us in the south.

I don't know why, but for some reason, this cold just hit us hard in the middle of nowhere.

But I want you to know today that you are an incredible human capable of accomplishing anything that you set your mind to. I hope that this is something that you focus on as you return back to your homes away from homes.

I know it is so hard to not dread the idea of classes beginning and diving back into the mounds of homework. However, I pray that you choose a whole new outlook this semester. Set goals for yourselves to keep you motivated and encouraged to press forward.

Seniors: Y'all have ONE more semester (hopefully) until you are finished! Whether it is for good or just for your undergrad this is a major accomplishment and it is absolutely something to motivate you and make you proud! It flies by, so don't forget to make memories.

Juniors: Just one more semester separates you from your senior year! I know personally that this is one of the most exciting feelings! You are finally the "big fish in the sea" again (as I was told when I was in 5th grade, 8th grade, and again a senior in high school). Also enjoy this and let that motivate you to do your best to prepare yourself for your senior year!

Sophomores: I know it probably feels like you've been in school forever already and that you're ready for it to end, but I encourage you to look for opportunities to plus yourself in and get involved. Believe it or not time flies by quickly and before you realize it you are going to be a senior.

Sophomore year is a great year (as well as freshman year) to figure out where you belong and what you may want to do with your life. Look for opportunities in the fields that you are interested in and get involved now. That will look so good on your resume and you may even end up meeting some of the best friends you'll ever have.

Freshmen: Congratulations on making it through your first semester! To some of you it may have seemed to have flown by and others I guarantee you thought it'd never end.

As I mentioned to the sophomores now is a great time to try to plug yourself into some clubs and organizations you may be interested in. This is such a great time to start and beginning making those memories and friendships. As stated already time will fly by and this is only the beginning!

I pray that as each of you begin your new normal with a brand new semester and year that you find things that motivate you to press on. I pray that you are able to give your mistakes, flaws, and things that are weighing you down to Christ and embrace the goodness of Christ.

I have one last piece of information that I have recently read from Sharna Burgess that I want to share.

Side note: if you're aware of who Sharna is, hello fellow Dancing With The Stars addict. Follow her at- sharnaburgess on Instagram.

I came across a post that Sharna made on New Year's day and while it was a good post altogether I want to focus on one part that I absolutely adored. In my own words, Sharna writes that she would rather focus on the things she would like to do rather than the things were not such as "I will not eat any more chocolate". She lists things that she intends to do and bring out in her everyday life.

These are things such as being more compassionate, more loving, more giving, and so on.

I believe that entering a new year, as Sharna is, by choosing this approach can be one that lifts a heavy heart, set it free, and make you a happier person.