To the college student worried about next semester,

I know how daunting it may seem right now. The upcoming semester fills you with a kind of dread that you don't even have a name for. You're excited to go back to school and see your friends, but you're terrified of your classes, an internship, a clinical experience, a student teaching position, etc.

First of all, you are not alone.

Maybe you've heard nothing but negative comments regarding a certain class or professor that you'll have. Maybe you've flipped through a nearly-one-thousand page textbook only to cringe with confusion. No matter how you're feeling, there are definitely others feeling the same way. You can get through this together. Study together, stress-eat chocolate ice cream together, and celebrate accomplishments together.

So many others have done it before you.

Think of your parents, your older friends, and your relatives who have successfully completed undergraduate degrees. Chances are that they aren't superhuman geniuses who studied 24/7 (well, maybe they are). Basically, if they did it, you can do it too. This semester is just another step towards the sweet victory of graduation.

You have control of your effort.

While there are many aspects of life and college that you don't have control over, you can control how much effort you put into your studies. You're probably afraid of crumbling under the pressure of what's to come, and that's okay. It's okay to be worried about breaking down, and it's okay to break down. But through it all, keep on pushing through.

You've come this far already.

This isn't your first rodeo. You've already completed semesters of college in the past. You sat through boring syllabi explanations, struggled through group projects, and studied for final exams like it was nobody's business. A challenging semester has nothing on you.

So many people will be proud of you.

Even if you don't realize it, someone is going to be extremely proud of you for working hard and eventually finishing the semester strong. Whether it's your parents, friends, roommates, professor, or advisor, people will recognize your diligence.

You'll be so proud of yourself.

It might feel like the end will never come, but here's the thing: it always does. When you walk out of your last final exam at the end of the semester, you will experience relief like never before. Don't lose hope in yourself.

Sincerely,

A college student worried about next semester