For many of us, the alarm clock is a culture shock to which we were blissfully immune for the past month. Now that January has come, however, it's time to get back into gear and dive into a new semester at college. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty pumped to be back on campus and start hitting the books (though time will tell how much reading I'll actually do)! As we wrap up syllabus week, here are some pointers we ought to keep in mind.

1. Get some rest.

As our parents would urge us, it's important to get a good night sleep so you can be well-rested for the day. If you're like me, you've been waiting to get back to school so you can slaughter your friends in a ravaging game of Catan, guzzling soda into the wee hours of the morning. The highlights of university life, I know (especially if your school is in the middle of nowhere); nevertheless, there is wisdom behind this advice. Maybe just a few rounds of Catan, or whatever other activities you fancy; then make a point to settle in for the evening. (And if this is hard for you, may you be introduced to the wonders of turbo shot coffee)!

2. Take care of yourself.

I know this sounds similar to getting some rest, but self-care is about more than just sleeping 8 hours a night. Like my dad would say, "Healthy body, healthy mind, healthy spirit". Maybe you made a New Year's resolution to eat healthier and get to the gym more often. (Good luck to all of us!) That's great--do it. Just keep in mind that your mental/emotional and spiritual health are just as important as your physical health. Don't be ashamed to seek help when you need it. After all, better to reach out for help than stay stuck and spiral downward.

3. Set some goals.

I'm big into making lists to help me prioritize tasks. While it might not work for everyone, I would suggest taking 20 minutes and setting some goals for yourself this semester. What kind of academic accomplishments are you aiming for? In what ways do you wish to grow as a person? Who do you want to impact? There are countless more you could think of and tailor to your specific needs. Once you have these goals, they can function as a purpose that motivates the way you live.

4. Remember your purpose.

I'm not just referring to your goals here. As a follower of Jesus, I believe it is important in all things to remember the great commission--that is, sharing the message of redemption through Jesus Christ and making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). This requires living in community with other followers of Jesus and supporting each other. Now, I recognize that not everyone shares these beliefs with me, and that is okay. That being said, I hope that each of you know deep down that you have a purpose. You are not just on this earth by mere accident. There is tremendous value in who we are and how we live our lives. Even if all else goes awry this semester--you break up with the love of your life, fail all your classes, or anything else for that matter--know that you, with that heart beating in your chest, are here for a specific reason. Find it, and cling to it. For me, I know that my purpose is to know God and make Him known. Let your purpose be behind everything you do this semester, and ultimately throughout the rest of your life.

I'm not saying that you will have a stress-free semester if you apply these principles. In fact, I'm personally anticipating many tearful moments to come, many deadlines that will haunt me, and many situations that will stretch me. But, at the end of it all, that really isn't such a bad thing. So, let's hit the books, hit the gym, and hang with friends--but not too late, because sleep is a thing.

Here's to Spring 2017!