Whether you are a freshman starting your first semester at college or a senior about to graduate, it's important to go into the semester knowing what you want to get out of it. A new semester is always exciting but it can also be nerve wracking to. You're going from a summer vacation to back into classes, internships, jobs, and whatever else is in your plate. It's a huge transition that takes a lot of adjustment. It's three weeks into the semester, and I'm still trying to figure out how to balance being a student, an intern, being a resident advisor, work, and a lot of other things on my plate. But I've found these tips and tricks are helping me make the most out of my college semester!
1. Set Goals - Do you ever have those days where you ask yourself "why am I working so hard?" It's easy to get caught up in everything you're doing, and forget why you're doing it in the first place. Goals are a great reminder, that this hard work you're doing has a purpose. Set short term and long term goals for yourself, and put them somewhere that you'll see them whether it be on your desk or in your planner. Short term goals could be getting a certain GPA, going to yoga once a week, or aiming to land an internship for next semester. Something that is attainable in few months. A long term goal could be aiming to be a CEO of your own company, directing a Broadway show, being a politician, or whatever it is that you see for yourself in few years.
2. Prioritize - You have a huge paper due tomorrow but you were asked to take another shift at work? What comes first for you? Everyone has different priorities. Someone's first priority maybe their job, while another's maybe their social life. You can do it all, but you'll need to prioritize what is important to you first. Is it your internship, school, and then your social life... in that order? Figure out what's first, second, third, for you and that way you'll always have an order, and when you're in a tough decision you'll know what your first priority is.
3. Support System - Don't be afraid to ask for help. As a resident advisor at Pace University, I constantly have freshman telling me that they are stressed or feel homesick, and I'm glad I can help them get through their tough time. In college, it's important to surround yourself with people who support you, and are there for you. You're not alone in how you're feeling, so don't be afraid to ask for help from friends, peers, counselor, You'll be surprised to see that ton of people are feeling the same exact way you are.
4. Balance - It's the first few weeks of the semester, you're going crazy cause you still don't have your schedule complete, you're trying to figure out internship hours, and you want to be active in clubs on campus. Don't worry, you will find your balance as the semester goes on. You'll soon get into a routine of going to classes at the same time, figuring out what internship hours work for you, and to make your weekly meetings. It takes a little bit of time, but after a while you'll get into the swing of things and have your routine down!
5. Breathe - This maybe the most important advice I can give you. No matter how stressed you are with papers, exams, work, or whatever else that you have going on, it's important to remember to breathe. Breathe in all your stress and anxiety, and breathe it all out, that lets go of all your bad energy. I find myself constantly running around, and having to pause and tell myself "take a deep breath." You'll see that the one moment you take out of your busy schedule to breathe will just be all the difference in the world.
Remember to do things for yourself, while you're working towards your goals, it's important to have some you time. Whether it be reading a book for fun, going to the gym, fitting in a nap, make it a priority to do something for yourself every week. You are the most important person, and it's important to remember to take care of yourself. These few tips and tricks will help you this semester, and through it all- remember that hard work pays off! Let me know if you have any other tips that help you get the most out of your semester.