Coming back to school after winter break can be exciting. A new semester, finding a routine to fit your new year new you motto, and color coordinating your planner for all of your new classes. But sometimes it can be hard. There’s an old saying that 21 days makes a habit, and hey would you look at that, winter break just happens to be 3 weeks long! So it isn’t a bad thing if you are having trouble trying to get back into a new routine where you have academic responsibilities again, it’s hard for a lot of us.
The first step to taking your groove back is to acknowledge that you’ve lost it in the first place, and I’m sorry sister I don’t care how much you work over break, it isn’t the same as school. Now it’s just a matter of finding your rhythm again. You can start this by writing out your schedule and classes in a planner which may seem tedious but I can promise that it is something that you will be happy about once midterms are upon us. Color coordinating your classes can be fun but it is also proven that using a planner can improve productivity, time management, and works wonders on the stress that your work can tend to put on you. This will also make it easier for you to keep track of how busy your week might get.
The next thing that you should do is build a daily routine to follow. You can throw in anything you like as long as it makes sense for you and your productivity. I personally like to throw in some non-academic related activities throughout the day such as going to the gym or cooking dinner to have a little break from all the school things that are keeping me busy throughout the week. One of the main reasons I love routines is the room it gives you to plan around things you really enjoy, like sleep. Managing your time and creating a routine can drastically improve the way you sleep giving you more energy to take on the next day.
Once you’ve established a routine and a planner to coordinate classes and activities in you’ll be ready for almost anything that the semester throws at you. The last and arguably the most important thing you need to do is make sure you have a little time left for yourself. It’s easy to get into a routine and realize that you don’t have a moment on your own to just sit and breathe. Giving yourself an hour or so a day to just relax and read a book or binge a show can go a long way. According to Amy Morin, a mental health trainor, having time for yourself can benefit your mental strength, promote empathy, and even spark creativity. Giving yourself some time to really focus on yourself is the secret ingredient that will help you start the semester off relaxed, confident, and determined. So here’s to a new year and a new semester!