With the holiday season ending, this could only mean one thing: back to school. While many of us are dreading long nights and early mornings, assignments and tests, going back to school is not entirely bad. With the New Year, positivity should be on everyone's mind, so I write this in trying to keep everyone positive entering the upcoming semester.

First, you get to see all your friends whom you have separated with in the last month. You can catch up on everything that happened while you were home, or on vacation. This is definitely what college kids look forward to most when going back to school. Some of your very best friends are ones from school, so it can be tough to be apart from them for more than a day, let alone an entire month. Luckily, you will be back with them shortly, and ready for another 3-4 months of being with them every single day.

Secondly, you get to back to school. This is kind of broad, and for someone who goes to school in a fairly big city with a variety of activities and places to go, this is exciting. You do start to miss everything about your school, and the surrounding area assuming you attend a university where there actually is life outside of your campus. You can go to some of your favorite restaurants and eateries at school, and some of your favorite locations to hang out and catch up with friends (I'll be doing most of that at Starbucks).

Lastly, and most importantly, a new semester means a fresh and clean slate. You can put the grades of last semester and stresses of it behind you, you have a completely new set of classes and professors. You can push yourself to do better in your classes, or push yourself to maintain consistency of good grades. Although, it is most important to keep in mind that this is that fresh start you were looking forward to the end of last semester. Make it count! Hit the ground running and ace all those first homework assignments and that first test! Start the semester strong and you'll finish stronger than the last! Just remember that this is your time to fix that B from last semester to an A and to achieve those goals!

It is important to realize that going back to school can be viewed in a positive light! Instead of dreading what classes you are taking, look at all of the positives that are in store for you. A fresh start, and you get to see your best friends again... I wouldn't wish for anything better! With that being said, good luck this semester!