How to Come Back from Break
After a little over a month of visiting family, relaxing, binging the newest Netflix series, and maybe working or traveling, some of you are more than ready to return to campus for spring semester. Then again, some of you might be thinking, “Winter break is OVER??!!”
Well, we’ve got some good news…coming back to campus doesn’t have to hurt so bad. In fact, a fresh start can be good for the soul. So, without further adieu, here are our top tips for preparing to come back to school after break….
Ease into it
You don’t have to throw yourself into the semester at full force. Give yourself the first week or so to adjust to your new schedule, new classes, and potentially a new living situation. Figure out times that are best for studying and times that are best for hanging out, working out, etc.
Practice gratitude
They say that taking time to list out what you’re grateful for is the key to living a fulfilled life. Perhaps before your return to campus, write down what it is about college that you are grateful for. Maybe it’s your friends that you haven’t seen in over a month or that you finished Principles of Accounting last semester and don’t have to take it again.
Get organized
Has anyone seen the Netflix show, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo? The show is about a world-renowned tidying expert that helps people clean up their messes in order to lead a more joyful life. So why not do the same yourself? Go through that messy backpack and get rid of old notebooks that you’ll never read again and please, for goodness sake, get rid of all the garbage you stuffed into every available pocket.
Look at your class schedule
We know, we know…this one is super easy! However, a lot of students have no clue what they signed up for last semester. Even worse, they won’t look at their schedule until the morning of the first day. Make sure you log on to CampS and take a gander at your new classes for spring. You’ll feel better knowing what to expect.
Plan for something FUN
Having something to look forward to always makes a transition easier. Plan to do something that you enjoy the first week of spring semester. Perhaps you’ll make time to hangout at your fave EC coffee shop or go on a group date with your roommates to a yummy restaurant. These fun plans will be something positive amidst the thought of a class that you’re dreading.
Be open
Leaving home after you’ve established a new routine and spent time hanging out with your hometown besties can be hard. Try shifting your mindset into thinking about the possibilities that are ahead of you back at UWEC. Maybe this semester you’ll do research for the first time or land your dream internship at Career Conference or maybe, just maybe, you’ll meet the love of your life. Honestly, you never know! Get excited and be open to new things that could change your life.
Make a playlist
We can all agree that listening to music has tons of benefits. An upbeat song can give you more energy while a slow song can help you relax. Hop on to your Spotify account and create a playlist that makes you happy. Throw it on anytime you’re feeling stressed the first week back. Even better, sing your faves out loud or bust a move. Both have a lot of health benefits.
Be positive
We’re sure you’ve heard this a hundred million times, but training your brain to be positive will literally CHANGE. YOUR. LIFE. Our brains are always busy and most of the time, the things we tell ourselves aren’t even true. Whenever a negative thought about yourself, your life or your schoolwork floats into that brain of yours, just take a deep breath and let it go.
There you have it, Blugolds! We hope some of these tips have helped you out. We’re excited to have you back on campus and we hope you’re just as excited to join us.
“In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.” -The Dalai Lama
