Preparing for Spring Semester
We’re a little less than a week away from the start of spring semester! While some of you are looking forward to getting back into the swing of things, others might be dreading the thought of diving back into an academic routine. But we have some good news — we’re here to help you make a seamless transition back into college life.
1. Get organized
Take a moment to get things in line before classes start. That means getting all your textbooks, double checking your class schedule, cleaning out your backpack and making sure you have clean masks and other items you might need if you’re coming to campus. It always feels better if you’re organized before diving into something new.
2. 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 your routine and carve out time for relaxation, exercise and fun with your roommates.
3. Make a space for relaxing
Since we’re still navigating life amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, many of you might be taking classes from home again. If that’s the case, make sure that your study space and your relaxation space are separate. Find an area in your room or apartment where you can set up a space for just chilling out.
4. Plan for something fun
While you may not be able to go out to restaurants like you used to, plan for something fun with your roommates at the end of the first week of classes. Perhaps you cook together or prepare for a Netflix marathon (have you watched Bridgerton yet? How about The Queen’s Gambit?). You can also use your UWEC username/password to access MyTV10, our on-campus streaming service. It has TONS of movies with new ones added every month. Even with COVID-19 precautions, you can still find safe ways to have fun.
5. Stay active
Find ways to get your body moving regularly. During these cold winter months, it’s easy to choose sitting on the couch over exercising. However, you will feel much better if you get that blood pumping. Exercise is proven to make you feel happier due to the endorphins that are released in your brain. UW-Eau Claire Recreation has lots of online workout options. You can also find lots of free workouts on YouTube.
6. Express your emotions
If you start to feel overwhelmed by your new academic routine, it’s okay to express your emotions. Talk to a close friend, a family member or reach out to UW-Eau Claire Counseling Services. They will continue to offer Telehealth Services all semester long. Remember — it’s OK to feel down. We all feel those emotions at one time or another. Stay strong and positive. You WILL get through this semester.
7. Practice gratitude daily
They say that taking time to list out what you’re grateful for is the key to living a fulfilled life. Perhaps before you 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!!
8. Make a playlist or listen to one of ours
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 your Spotify account and create a playlist that makes you happy. Or even better — listen to one of the UW-Eau Claire Spotify playlists. Throw on your favorite songs when you’re feeling stressed the first week back.
9. Be open
Leaving home after you’ve established your winter break routine 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, land your dream internship or make new friends. Get excited and be open to new things that could change your life.
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.
