As we get deeper into January and begin to mourn the dreadful loss of winter break, it’s time to start looking forward. 

A new year has just begun, and we have all been given an opportunity for a fresh start with the beginning of a new semester. However, this transition from the relaxation of a long break to the sudden stresses of an upcoming semester can be hard for students to process.

To get back into the swing of college life, it’s important to start to develop good habits. After weeks of being used to sleeping in every day, it’s necessary to adjust your sleeping habits to fit your schedule this semester. Set alarms and try your best to get into bed early without staying up all night watching TikToks. Trust me on this one.

As you begin your new classes, it might be a bit overwhelming. 

Take a moment to read through the syllabus no matter how much you don’t want to. Write out a schedule and mark important dates so that you can be one step ahead this semester. 

Also, take a moment to reflect on how you feel about your courses. Is there a course you know you might struggle with? Maybe find a tutor early on with the Academic Success Center.

Most importantly, take your time to adjust and feel all of the emotions that come with this transition. 

You may be feeling anxious or a bit sad, and that’s completely understandable. You may be returning to campus from just seeing loved ones, or you might just feel a lack of motivation going into this upcoming semester. It could help to talk to a close friend or loved one about how you’re feeling. 

Do things that make you feel happy and remember to allow yourself to take little breaks throughout the semester. Just because the long break is over doesn’t mean we can’t have small ones here and there.