Dear New Semester:

Thank you for letting me be in your grace. I am so excited to see what is to come in these five short months and experience a world of new things. Let me not forget the past semester, and build upon those experiences.

Help me the best person I can be. Help me to see the best in all situations I am in and all of the new people I encounter. Help me use my past experiences and mistakes to continue to grow to be a better person. College is a time of growing, and let that not be in my alcohol tolerance or the amount of sorority t-shirts I own, but my genuine character. I must sit down every once in awhile, give myself a reality check, and make sure I'm on the right track and doing the right things. Also, help me stay true to myself. May I not give into peer pressure or do something that I will regret, especially in cases when I know I am worth more than what it seems like. May I think about my actions before I make a move.

The most obvious request for all college students; help me to get good grades. Help me to see the flaws in my study habits in past semesters and to work toward bettering those skills. I failed a test last semester? Better start studying earlier and figuring out the most effective way I can study. I am attending college classes to learn things that will help me in the future, and also that will help me become a more well-rounded thinker, so why not learn information long term instead of cramming and forgetting it all after the test? By distributing study time, I can learn more effectively and score better test grades.

Help me not lose track of the light at the end of the tunnel. While the road may become bumpy, or my vision may become foggy, once I graduate with a degree, there are so many opportunities to go out and make a difference in this world. A stressful test does not define me just like a bad grade does not. And when I do become stressed, even to the point of thinking about giving up, I will not do it. I know it's not worth it, so I will take a few minutes to take a couple deep breaths and remember why I am in college.

Sincerely,

A learning student.

College is no doubt a stressful time of everyone's life, but the benefits far outweigh the costs. This is the beginning of a new semester; a time to learn new things, experience new things, and a time to grow. Take full advantage of everything you are presented with and try and ponder why it's happening to you. I challenge you to learn more about yourself this semester. Good luck!