You finished up finals, you relished in your break and got to relax (or at least, we hope you did), and before you know it, second semester has begun. This can be a pretty tough time for students. Luckily for our students at Pathways College in Pasadena, winter isn’t as dreary as what most other students around the country face. But your break hardly feels like enough time, and now you have to dive back into school — knowing the stress that lies ahead can fill anyone with a sense of dread.
Your mindset is what’s going to carry you through this semester, and our affordable online college has plenty of ways to get into the right headspace. The semester should be one that makes you excited and hopeful, not just something you trudge through until summer break. When you practice these healthy habits from Pathways College, the months are going to fly by.
Stay Active
Exercise is a natural way to boost your mood, and it’s a proven stress reliever. You don’t have to work out every day (although it’s good to be active every day), but you should make consistent workouts a routine. When our schedules are filled to the brim with things to do, adding another thing to the list seems impossible. But when you prioritize exercise, you’ll feel better, perform better, and be happier — plus you’ll have more energy to tackle the things that you need to get done.
Study Consistently and Over Time
Our affordable online college would guess that a lot of your stress from the end of first semester came from cramming and trying to pass your finals with flying colors. If you start out this year with a goal of studying consistently and over time, you’ll be more prepared for the end of the semester (and you’ll feel less stressed about it, too).
Practice Gratitude
One of the best ways to instantly turn your mood around? Start listing all the things you’re grateful for. Life will always have its challenges, but when you focus on what’s going well in your life instead of mulling on what’s not, you’ll feel more at peace and more balanced. Keep a gratitude journal, take a few mindful minutes every day to think about what you’re grateful for, and share with loved ones (and ask them to do the same).
Reflect and Set Goals
Were you stressed by finals last semester? Did trying to balance school and work seem like constant overkill? Are you avoiding the fact that you didn’t commit to your classes as much as you needed to? It’s OK — we’re all human! It’s best to recognize these things (and of course, the things we did well should be celebrated), reflect on some highs and lows of the first semester, and create some intentions for the second half. You’ll be more motivated and excited for the semester when you have something to look forward to — and personal growth is one of the best things on our horizons.
Your second semester is bound to be a good one with these tips, or at the very least, you’ll have some habits that are helpful to have, long after graduation. When you enroll with Pathways College, you’re going to have an even better college semester. View our business administration or liberal studies programs, and sign up for classes with our affordable online college!