It’s hard to believe the fall semester is halfway over with midterms in full swing this week. All of this culminates with the arrival of Fall Break, beginning on Friday, with no classes on Monday and Tuesday. All students are looking forward to a break from the grind of classes, with many leaving campus to spend time with family and friends. I want to share with you some things we all can do to ensure a successful break:
1. Evaluate where you are academically.
Hopefully, you will receive your midterm grades before you leave campus. Take a look at all your grades, regardless of whether or not they are good or bad. Evaluate yourself in what areas you’re doing well in and what areas you need to improve in. Don’t put too much stock into your midterm grades – there is still time in the semester, but keep in mind that your opportunities are going to become limited as we approach the late stages of the semester. Make sure you maximize all of your opportunities. Based on your evaluation, take some time to figure out where you need to go from here. Clemson has numerous resources available, including the Academic Success Center, where the entire staff is dedicated to your success. Utilize it. Also, professors have office hours for a reason – use them.
2. Understand it is a break.
There’s a reason there are breaks built into the academic calendar each school year. You have worked tirelessly to make it through these first few weeks, so don’t stress over school during your break. I understand some of you have jobs to work over the break, but try and take some time to relax as well. I would try to get a lot of work done before heading out for Fall Break. This way, you will feel refreshed and recharged when classes start back up and won’t feel overwhelmed when classes pick back up.
3. Get off campus.
I’m sure there’s many students, myself included, that are in a scenario where your car has not moved since you came to Clemson. I understand some of you live off campus as well, but whether it be going home, to a friend’s home or heading to the mountains, everyone needs to go somewhere. We all love Clemson’s campus, but a change of scenery can be nice sometimes.
I hope I’ve shared something that can help you navigate Fall Break successfully and that you will return to campus refreshed and ready to take on the second half of the semester. I wish all of you a wonderful Fall Break.