After every fall semester, similar to most with the New Year, I find myself motivated to create resolutions for the new, shiny, spring semester. I know that I am not alone in hoping that some aspects of first semester will change for the second semester. And as we create and illustrate this idealized second semester, in the back of our heads, we know the truth: half of this crap won't actually happen. Regardless, we feel good telling ourselves we can improve, and that we will. We want to feel completely in control of our lives, and we create this "perfect world" list to tell ourselves it is truly possible. Here's a common list of second-semester expectations for a college female, versus the reality of what will ensue.
1). Expectation: I'll go to the gym more! I'll get a rockin' bod!
Yeah, we want to look damn good in preparation for the upcoming warm weather. Spring break, am I right? We devise a workout plan, tell ourselves we'll go four times a week or so, maybe register for a 5k in the spring, and we even buy a really nice pair of **workout leggings**.
Reality:
We show up to the gym maybe three times in the first week, but after that, life gets in the way. Classes are hard, we probably get sick here and there, and honestly, sometimes we really just don't want to go to the gym and would prefer to nap instead.
2). Expectation: I'm going to study soooo much more this semester! 4.0 here I come!
We convince ourselves the next semester will be spent slaving away in the library, learning everything there is to know about, well, everything. We think we could probably declare that double major, take that fifth class, or even sign up to tutor students. Mentally, we plan on being on point.
Reality:
We work our asses off for the first exam, maybe the first paper, but by the fifth week of the semester we're bored of the library, want to watch the new season of New Girl, and we don't see the point of studying unless it's to cram. This is college, not med school. Chill out, nerds.
3). Expectation: I'm going to eat healthier this semester!
Reality:
You realize you like food too much. You like potato chips, and late night pizza, and hell....you like any kind of food that's in front of you. You decide not to cut yourself off from the things you love. But hey, fruit's pretty tasty too. Maybe we sign up for a calorie counting app to keep ourselves in line, but that's too disappointing and brutally honest. We decide to love ourselves for who we are, with or without that ten extra pounds.
4). Expectation: I'm going out once a week this semester! That way I'll be more energized, I'll get more sleep, and when I do go out, it'll be so much fun!
Partying with your friends til the wee hours has shown its negative effects pretty quickly. You're way too tired, your grades have suffered, and this semester is no joke. You plan on telling your friends no when they ask to go out, you tell yourself you're going to skip that Paint/Foam party next weekend. You'd much rather be productive and put together.
Reality:
Thursday-
Friday-
Saturday-
Sunday-
Sunday night-
It's too difficult to say no to your friends. You cave, almost instantly, due to intense FOMO. College is supposed to be fun? Why would you deprive yourself of that? It's only a few extra hours of sleep if you don't go. Eventually, the FOMO will fade, and you'll find a better time was spent just hanging out with your friends watching a movie. The best part? Your body won't hate you the next day.
6). Expectation: This semester is going to be the best semester ever!! Nothing will go wrong, and everything will be perfect!
We think that we can be unstoppable come January. Faced with confidence and power, nothing can stand in our way to get whatever we want, and that no obstacles will appear. We will be Beyonce flawless for the next fifteen weeks, and we truly believe that.
Reality:
While last semester wasn't terrible, there were still aspects of it that disappointed us. Not everything went our way. We didn't get a 4.0, we might have gained a few pounds, we made some regrettable decisions...ultimately, however, we need to understand that college is a learning experience. Everything that happened last semester was meant to happen in order for us to learn and grow. So, even if your second-semester expectations don't quite match up with the reality, remind yourself that it's okay. Maybe next year will be a different story.
