Spring semester -- ah, the bittersweet ending to a long and much-needed Winter Break. There are a lot of ups and downs -- seeing your old friends again, getting slightly better classes then last semester, and adding on to the ever-growing list of things you'll need to learn for the future. Here are just a couple of ups and downs of the spring semester.
The good...
1. You have a couple of credits under your belt, which will allow you to pick your classes before some other people.
2. You know what to expect coming in, and know which buildings you prefer, what time you want your classes, and who to pick as your professor.
3. You reunite with all of your friends who you haven't seen in over a month.
4. You're once again on your own, which means you can stay up late, go out, sleep in and not have to worry about your parents questioning why you're doing what and when you're doing it.
5. You get to say, "One semester down, only seven to go."
6. The days begin to get longer and suddenly those late night classes aren't so bad.
7. It's a chance to try something new, meet more people in different classes, and sign up for that club that you never did back in fall.
While there are some good things about going back, it isn't always that easy...
1. Generally it begins to sink in that you won't be home for another two months or more.
2. You have to readjust your belly from that glorious home cooking to the not so glorious food at the dining hall.
3. There is not a second parent's weekend, so grocery shopping on your own just downgraded to unhealthy and affordable.
4. Your classes are only going to get harder and more annoying as you progress.
5. Though you don't want to believe it, college is going much faster than you were ready for.
6. You have to find all your classes over again. Just when you thought you had a shortcut one place, you have to figure it out for the next set of classes.
Spring -- ah, a time for good weather, fun activities, and endless sunshine. Coming into spring semester gives you the bitter sweet satisfaction of knowing you are halfway there. However, you begin to realize that time is speeding up, and before you know it, semester after semester, you will be rolling into the end of your senior year.
Take a moment to step back and realize the good that you have, enjoy the nights where you are partying with friends, or staying up late to finish an assignment. Don't feel the need to end things so far in advance.
College has become a time to reflect and enjoy yourself, so yes... it's a bittersweet sensation, but it's not a one way street. You have the time and the ability to do whatever you want while you're there.
