Every semester represents a new start. You get a whole new schedule, new professors, maybe even a new place to live. With second semester comes the “New Year New You” mentality. Everyone is ready and motivated. Your new year's resolution is still fresh in your mind. Maybe your goal is to become more healthy this year, more positive, step out of your comfort zone more often, or focus more on academics. Whatever it may be, it is the main focus in your life right now. Unfortunately, as we have seen and most likely experienced first hand, this “new” and “exciting” feeling can wear off pretty quickly.

Start off strong

We all try to dive into second semester full force. We tell ourselves we are not going to skip any classes, go to the gym at least five times a week, and have a killer social life. Most college students have figured out that having a balanced life takes hard work and determination but it is sometimes just impossible. Between school, sleep, being social, and working out, sometimes you just have to prioritize the most important ones and see where that gets you. The beginning of the semester is always amazing so hold onto this high energy and motivation as long as you possibly can!

Checking your bank account after the first week

When attempting to balance going out, eating out, working out AND paying for textbooks, checking your bank account balance can be extra stress.

When the FOMO kicks in

You’re staying on track balancing your social life and school work, but at this point in the semester the FOMO is becoming more and more real. You try to limit yourself, stay in, and get your work done, but every now and then you just have to let loose.

Staying balancd becomes less and less of a priority

You start to reevaluate your entire existence. The balance may have started to unravel. You often find yourself prioritizing Netflix and ice cream over all else. It is understandable that when the stress of the semester starts weighing down on you but it can get out of hand pretty quickly.

You force yourself to get back on track

You get your life back together just in time for finals. You trade in all-nighters at the bars/frats for all-nighters at the library to turn things back in the right direction.

You accept the status of things

When the semester is about to end and you have completely lost sight of the balance and are ready for summer. There’s pretty much nothing you can do to change your grades.

Before you know it, the semester is over!

You tried to keep the balanced life going and sometimes it worked. Other times your idea of balance was the ratio of napping to time spent deciding where to order takeout from. But it is okay!

Every semester is a new start right?