What I learned through my experiences
As fall semester comes to a close, I’m reflecting on my experiences – what went well, what could have been better, and what I learned. The beginning of junior year has been a whirlwind of schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and spending time with friends and family. Through it all, I have strived to balance my responsibilities with taking time for myself. Below, I have listed some of the lessons I have learned over the course of the semester. I hope these lessons help you as you navigate your own academic, professional, and personal journeys.
1. It’s ok to take longer to understand course content
Sometimes, especially with STEM classes, it takes me longer to understand course content. In addition to attending lectures and discussions, I often need to go through and teach the material to myself. Although it can be overwhelming at first when presented with challenging concepts, I remind myself that I’m capable of learning them if I put in the time and effort. If you’re determined, you can do anything you set your mind to.
Image: planner, online calendar, to-do list
2. Your planner and to-do lists are your best friends
Planning ahead is a valuable skill that will help you succeed as a student and in other aspects of your life. At the beginning of the semester, I entered my classes, club meetings, and events into my calendar. This allowed me to look ahead to what I had going on each week, as well as schedule other responsibilities, such as meeting with advisors and attending office hours. Showing up and being present demonstrates that you care, and having a planner makes this much easier. To-do lists are another tool that I used throughout the semester. Although I rarely accomplish everything on my list, the act of writing down what I want to get done clears my mind and helps me prioritize.
3. School is important, but so are your other interests
It’s easy to get so absorbed in school that you forget to do the other things that are important to you and bring you joy. Whether that’s making art, being outdoors, or spending time with friends and family, it’s essential that you set aside time to do what you love. When you take a step back from your schoolwork, you may even realize that things aren’t as bad as they seem. That paper or lab report that’s been stressing you out? Totally doable. Sometimes a break is just what you need to regain motivation.
4. Practice self-care
While it can be difficult to practice self-care with the busyness of everyday life, incorporating simple habits into your routine can make a huge difference in your health and well-being. Getting enough sleep each night, ideally between seven and nine hours, is important for your mental health and your immune system, and puts you at lower risk for developing more serious conditions in the future (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute). Eating healthy and exercising regularly can also produce these benefits. Lastly, advocate for yourself and know that it’s okay to say “no” in order to protect your time and energy.
I hope that these lessons help you in your own life. While my advice is solely based on my own experiences, I believe it’s applicable to many different situations. Here’s to doing well on finals, and having a happy and restorative winter break!