Well, here we are. Second semester starts TOMORROW. Are you ready?

This semester, I am ready to work on my classes and commitments like it's my life, and I'm excited about the results I'll see. But what is that going to look like? Over the break, during my countless hours of watching Netflix, I may have found an answer

If you've seen the hit series Parks and Recreation, you know Leslie Knope. How would you describe her? I'd say she's INSANE. She runs the Parks and Recreation Department in Pawnee, Indiana practically on her own and never cuts corners, she delivers imaginary presidential inauguration speeches in her sleep, she puts together a stack of binders filled with questions and comments for every occasion, and she still has time to get incredibly thoughtful gifts for her friends every time they do anything right. She sleeps around 20 hours a week, she does paperwork in her bed at night for fun while she listens to the Spice Girls, and she never comes up short on ANYTHING.

Yeah, she's fictional, but why can't I get a little inspiration from the idea of a "Leslie Knope"?

Leslie won't sleep until a project is perfect. Why don't I work a little harder to make sure my assignments are perfect before I go to sleep at night?

Leslie goes above and beyond to get her friends the perfect gifts and to help them with anything. How about I try a little harder to go out of my way to make sure my friends feel loved?

Leslie has passion for her job because she is passionate about her hometown. Why don't I find more passion in my schoolwork out of my passion for this incredible school?

School is HARD, and this university demands commitment, no matter what your major is. Here is my challenge for you: Find a little Leslie Knope in yourself. Find it, and apply it to your work in school, in your clubs, in your job, with your friends, in your fraternity or sorority, and in everything you commit yourself to. Do that, and you'll find success at the end of the semester, and it will be success you are incredibly proud of.