It seems that every semester I make roughly the same mistake: I get so excited to come back to school and see everybody, I forget about the (necessary) evil of classes. Now, I'm a girl who loves class–I enjoy what I'm registered for, and I genuinely like to learn–but the fact of the matter is, at the beginning of the semester it feels like you have a lot more free time and availability than you actually do.

As a result, you end up signed up to do just about everything under the sun, never considering the delicate balancing (or juggling) act that will no doubt ensue. Everybody goes through the same ten steps...

1. Returning to campus.

You get back to campus and it's an instant reunion–you can't wait to see everybody, they can't wait to see you. Basically, it's just a really great time.

2. Hearing about new opportunities.

Whether it's a new job, a new club, a new dance troupe or just a new friend, chances are the beginning of the semester is the time to find them. Everything achieves maximum priority at this time of year, because literally everything seems important. In other words, chances are, everything is a big deal, and, subsequently, you want to be involved in all of it, which leads to...

3. Being excited about all these newfound interests.

You just can't wait to get involved with every. single. thing.

4. Feeling ~put-together~ because of your ability to juggle so much new stuff.

You feel totally at peace. You've managed to invest yourself in everything on campus, you enjoy it all, and you're still managing somehow to make straight A's.

5. But then, all of this new stuff is like:

All of a sudden though, it's midterm season. You realize you have not yet taken the necessary time to calculate all the various ways you need to spread yourself too thin. Once you do...

6. Mass panic.

You have no idea how to put an end to the chaos you've created, but you know you need to act fast.

7. You get back on top of it all.

Turns out, the panic wasn't really necessary. You make it through, and come out the other side as a hero. Go you!

8. Cutting back a little bit.

Much as you hate to admit it, you signed up for too much. It's a tale as old as time, because you just can't do everything at once. You pick your favorite involvements and move on from there.

9. Finding the things you really enjoy.

Once you figure out what you like best on campus, you can devote yourself to that... Until next semester at least.

10. Getting excited to take on 2018 and a new semester with all your newfound interested and pals by your side.

Now that all the kinks are worked out, you're ready for this year to be your best yet.

Here's to a new semester. Let's get out there, overcommit, regroup, and make this year our best yet everybody!