As winter break comes to a close and the spring semester begins, we college students head back to our dorm rooms and lecture halls. With all the hustle and bustle of the new semester, it's normal to forget certain things that are important to keep in mind.
1. It's okay to be nervous.
The start of a new semester means new classes, experiences, and responsibilities. Even a second semester senior can be intimidated by any of these things. And that's okay. Nervousness is a completely normal human emotion that can be caused by many things, and there's many different ways to alleviate it. Here's some actions you can take if you feel nervous or anxious.
2. Sometimes New Year's resolutions don't work out.
Maybe you stayed on top of keeping up with your New Year's resolution during break, but when you got back to school, you found it harder to do so. Don't beat yourself up over this -- remember that during break, you probably weren't going to class, club meetings, or working. It's okay if you find yourself unable to cook a new, healthy meal every night, or go to the gym every single day.
You can still find time on weekends, at night, or even in the morning to work on your resolutions if they are important to you. Don't fret about making working towards them an every day thing -- college schedules can be hectic, and everyone feels like they don't have enough time for everything they want to do at some point.
3. There's nothing wrong with having to drop a class.
Almost everyone finds themselves struggling in a class at one point or another, trust me. If you feel that you're unable to continue with a class, there's no shame in dropping it. Just remember to check in with your academic advisor first, and make sure you're still on track and taking the required amount of credits.
4. It might take a while to get used to being back on campus.
Going from your childhood home to a college campus can be jarring. You're surrounded by new people, new living situations, even new foods. Although you've previously experienced these things in the fall semester, you still might feel put off by them. Don't worry if it takes time for you to get back into the swing of things. Everyone adjusts at a different pace.
5. You can do it.
As cheesy as this sounds, it's true. You got through the past semester, and you can get through this one too. While each semester brings about new challenges, every school has resources available for you to deal with them. So don't worry. You can pass that class, get into that society, and be accepted to that internship.
Coming back to school is definitely a big change. It's okay if you feel anxious, overwhelmed, or confused. There's no shame in needing and/or asking for help. And remember, you've gotten through one or more college semesters before -- you can do it again.
