Summer flew by like it always does. Three months off may initially seem excessive and daunting, yet we always find ourselves back in this position, wondering where it went. For me, summer was a blur of sleep deprivation, work, friends and summer school, with some infamous Houston heat mixed in. And now like clockwork, school is fixing to start. Back to school ads airing on the radio and TV, stores advertising back to school sales, and my favorite- school supplies as far as the eye can see.

While most students dread the start of the new school year, I like to focus on some of the positives- a perfect excuse to hit up the malls and stock up on a new wardrobe. Catching up with friends you haven’t seen over the summer is always something to look forward to. Call me a nerd, but I also look forward to new coursework with long nights of studying.

This marks the beginning of my senior year of college. Who knows where the time has gone. I can no longer use my youth as an excuse to do what I please, I need to embrace my responsibilities, something my parents don’t hesitate to remind me about.

For every semester of college thus far, I set some academic and social goals I would like to achieve. Who are we if we are not working towards something.

I always start off the year super motivated, determined to do well and then I slowly lose momentum (I’m sorry but that’s just basic physics). This year will be the exception. I will make the most of it, exert my full effort and exceed any personal records I may have previously set.

It is very important to start each year fresh. So what if you had a rough academic year previously, or if something horribly embarrassing happened to you. That’s the beauty of a fresh start and that mind set can go a long way.

So this school year set some academic, social and personal goals you would like to meet and learn a lot.

Happy schooling!