As this semester is winding down, I can’t help but reflect on the last four months -- the good, the bad, and the ugly.
As I should be writing a paper or studying for my last final, I’m sitting here, trying to imagine what life was like at the beginning of this semester and what happened that get us here.
Spring of 2015 was a rough semester for me. Whether it was life or school related, it was simply a mess. That being said, going in to fall of 2015, I set some goals and learned some things along the way. Because I feel like those lessons are important, here they are!
College is a learning experience, and the only way to learn is to reflect on things from the past.
Goal Setting Is Key
Seriously, I know we hear this one from everyone, but if you aren’t already setting goals for yourself each semester, do it.
Organization and Cleaning Are So Important
Those who know me know that a typical day in my room is when you can’t see the floor. I’m not proud of it, but organization is not my strongest attribute. It’s a learning experience though. Practice makes perfect.
Keep Your Backpack Light
Especially in Ithaca, we’re walking up and down hills all day and don’t want to hurt our backs caring all of our sh*t around. I learned this one the hard way. I carried around everything I needed for the whole day everywhere I went, and my back was never too happy about it.
Student Orgs
Find something you’re passionate about and peruse it. Student organizations take up your time, but it’s time well spent. If you love what you’re doing, it doesn’t feel like work, and the friendships you make will last through college and beyond.
Take Classes You Enjoy
Previous to this semester I liked maybe one or two of my classes, and it made going to class a drag. This semester, I was lucky enough to actually enjoy my courses. Class attendance is made much easier when you love what you’re learning.
Go To Class
This one is pretty self-explanatory. I’ve made this mistake many times before. Your grades suffer when your attendance suffers.
Self Care Is #1
I don’t say this lightly. Our lives are hectic. We’re running from meeting to class and from class to the library, and that can cause a lot of stress. Our constantly moving lives require us to stop and rest every once in a while, as a way of allowing ourselves to continue moving.
Value Your Friendships, and Don’t Let School Take Over Your Life
I know, we’re hundreds of miles away from home and spending tens of thousands of dollars in order to get an education. However, don’t let it take over your life. School is important, but we’re also here to learn about ourselves and discover not only what makes us happy but also what makes us sad and where we fall short sometimes. College is a time to value your friendship, admit you’re wrong, and begin to understand yourself.
