It’s January in Ohio. There’s snow on the ground, the air is frigid, you’re already up to your ears in homework and you may be wondering why you ever left Europe, Africa or the United Kingdom to come back to this. While abroad may have been an incredible semester, it’s time to face reality and transition back to life at Denison, gracefully.
1. Get Organized.
Coming back to a semester full of classes, clubs and social events, it can be difficult to remember how to balance everything in your life. Take a minute every day to write down all that you have to accomplish that day. Whether it’s a meeting with your advisor, a coffee date with an old friend, or a chapter that you actually need to read for class, write it down! Getting organized will help you gracefully adjust to a busier schedule and make you stress less!
2. Despite lack of money, do fun things!
After being abroad, your bank account is probably painfully low. Despite the feeling that you have a dollar left to your name, make sure you find time to do fun things. Find an inexpensive activity such as grabbing Whits or buying a few snacks and having friends over for a movie night! The fun things that you do will help you remember what you missed while you were abroad.
3. Be as social as you want to be!
Seeing all your friends back at school again can be a great but overwhelming experience. Everyone wants to know, “How was abroad?!” and you can only say so many times that it was great. Catch up with people as much as you want, but don’t feel the need to see everyone all at once. Socializing can be difficult when you first come back, but everything gets easier with time.
Relax, organize and enjoy your time back on the hill. College only lasts for so long.