As the Fall 2016 semester comes to close for thousands of students across the U.S., there comes a time of reflection as people either change their path or look forward to finally receiving that much-coveted diploma the following semester. Some experience feelings of euphoria and gladness at having escaped this semester relatively unscathed. Some finally breathe a sigh of relief, knowing they are that much closer to their goal. Still, others are filled with anxiety about the coming semester and the new challenges it will bring and then there are those lucky few who leave with their diploma (potentially) to never set foot in those halls again.
No matter what your status is at the end of this semester, you'll never again have the opportunities and experiences that you have had this semester. Here's ten pieces of advice that I have to give you:
1) Remember to thank your professors (you may get somewhat of a pass next year if you have them again).
2) Thank the friends that stuck by you through thick and thin (and on the extremely rough nights when they practically carried you to your room).
3) As well as the ones that went out of their way to make everyone's day a little brighter.
4) Make sure you make time to eat in the coming semester and I mean that you schedule in lunch. You never know what will come up in the day.
5) Relax while you have a break and don't worry too much about the coming semester/job search. Everything will come in time.
6) Thank your parents (and in my case, grandparents) for being a sounding board whenever you've needed to complain about college or just life in general.
7) Renew your commitment towards your degree or life goals.
8) Take care of the friendships you've cultivated over the semester over the break time.
9) Spend as much time with friends and family as possible before the start of the Spring term.
10) Take the time to give yourself credit for making it through another semester of college and know that if you've done it once, you can do it again.
-Brittany Nicole