Winter break has finally melted away and that means now it’s time to start the 2020 spring semester. Here are some tips on how to get over the back-to-school funk.
Stay focused:
Heading back into the new school semester, it’s important to take note of distractions that waste time and take attention away from schoolwork.
A suggestion from Purdue University Global: “No matter what is wasting your time, set a goal to not engage in that behavior during dedicated study time. Instead, use those activities as a reward for staying focused and accomplishing the tasks you set out to complete.”
Create a to-do list:
Creating a to-do list can help identify what you need to do during the day. A list like this can help with breaking down which tasks you need to tackle first. It could also aid in establishing a routine for the new semester.
Set small goals:
School is difficult and the beginning of a new semester is often the hardest part. Something that can help in conquering the new semester is setting small goals for the month or even for the day.
These goals don’t have to be complicated; they can be simple goals like drinking more glasses of water throughout your day or writing the introduction to an essay.
(Courtesy of Taylor Su)
Lean on classmates:
Your classmates are going through the same thing; don’t be afraid to reach out to them. Forming a study group for a challenging class will help with the feeling of helplessness that a difficult class often brings.
“If you’re feeling sluggish and worry about falling behind in notes or studying, ask friends or classmates for their notes. We’re all adjusting back and it’s fine to ask for help from others,” said Tia Crespo, a fourth-year visual communication design student.
Take a break:
The new semester introduces a lot of overwhelming moments, especially if you’re taking harder classes or a heavy course load. It’s important to take time for yourself so that you don’t burn out too quickly into the semester.
If needed, take advantage of resources offered on campus. The Bronco Recreation and Intramural Complex (Building 42), is available for those who enjoy working up a sweat to relax.
The Womxn’s Resource Center (Building 95-201)offers Self-Care Happy Hour Tuesdays for any student looking to take a moment from their stressful schedule.
Don’t be too hard on yourself:
There will be times during the semester when you’ll make a mistake, which may cause you to have negative feelings. Don’t allow those feelings to overshadow all the other accomplishments you have achieved. If you missed an assignment for a class, don’t beat yourself up because of it.
Try reaching out to the professor and explain the situation. Otherwise, make it a goal to not miss the next assignment. According to an article in Psychology Today, “The vast majority of the time, when we make mistakes, they’re small ones that have no or minimal consequence …. Try giving yourself a threshold for mistakes to cut yourself some slack on.”
A new semester can often be difficult or overwhelming for many students. It’s important to take care of yourself during this time. Classes and grades are important, but so is your mental and physical health.