Let’s talk. Maybe fall semester didn’t go as planned or maybe you want it to go better. Like me, maybe you let things get ahead of you and you had a hard time playing catch up. Maybe you are just nervous for the spring semester. Fear not! I am going to introduce you to my version of Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide and we’ll call it; Kylee’s Free Naz Spring Semester Preparation Kit. I may not be as comedic as the Nickelodeon show, but I sure do have some advice for you!
First and foremost, let’s stop worrying about it. Truly. In one of my classes this fall semester we read a book called “The Human Condition” by Thomas Keating where he says something very revealing about our own thoughts. “If you just wait long enough, everything passes. And so these thoughts that are so distressing, if we don’t identify with those thoughts, then right away we begin to experience a certain peace.” Before we know it, we’ll be in the thick of the spring semester. So right now in the beginning, there is no point in worrying about it! It will ruin your state of mind and it isn’t a worthy thought because there is nothing you can do about the distress it is causing you (at the moment).
Secondly and calmly, set up an attack plan. What will you change this semester? Do you need better time management? Have your goals for your grades changed? Don’t be afraid to write these down and I encourage you to really put in the effort towards approaching these changes. You won’t see change unless you start to make changes within yourself. If your previous attack plan, or lack of attack plan failed you, then making these changes is gonna get you a lot closer to a more desirable outcome. I recommend you write these goals and changes down and remind yourself of them shortly before the semester starts. With any attack plan comes requirements. You will need to do things, buy things, and educate yourself about things to uphold this mission. Coming up with an attack plan will help you with your preparedness and now you can’t say you weren’t ready!
Next, stay close with your friend group. It’s easy to get caught up in the stress of starting a new semester so don’t forget to check in on your college buddies! Continue to build the connection and excitement and make plans for the semester with each other from the beginning. Plan some study breaks, fun weekend activities and share schedules to coordinate getting meals together. This will make taking on the spring semester seem less daunting if you have your friends to make it better.
In my personal opinion, another amazing tool for Kylee’s kit is the cleanout. Get rid of what is not going to serve you. Those bad habits from last semester? Out the window. That toxic friend who drove you crazy in November? Say your goodbyes. Time to move on from what is holding you back or hurting you. Removing this dead weight will help you soar like the Golden Flyer that you are. Traditionally, resolutions are set in honor of the new year, but this time, resolutions are in honor of the spring semester. Ridding yourself of things that just don’t work also means physical things like the extra clothes you don’t wear or that rice cooker you haven’t used at all. Donate them, pass them along to a friend, or tuck them away for future use.
The last staple: Take care of yourself. Make self care a top priority. Along with that comes being self aware. Be conscious of your emotions and treat them properly. Recognizing how you feel is only half the work, the other half is determining how to actually handle those feelings. Check out mindfulness practices if this is something you are interested in! Naz works very hard to encourage student to be compassionate towards ourselves. Health and Counseling has great resources.
