I don't know about how you felt about winter break, dear reader, but for me, winter break crawled along like a turtle at first, but it eventually bolted with a breakneck speed to its own end. It felt surreal, to be honest; one day, it was Christmas, the next, it's Martin Luther King Jr. Day! At least, that's how it felt for me. But, now, we're back, and we're all here to try and conquer another semester, cups of tea and coffee and textbooks in hand.

"Conquer", of course, being a relative term. Let's be honest, for many of us college students, it feels more like "trying our best". And you know what? That's okay. We're college students. If you're a college student too, then remember that it's okay to feel like you don't really know what's in store. Just know that whatever it is, you will do great. You will be phenomenal.

Lack of sleep I'm already feeling aside, this semester is an interesting one for me personally--I have my Junior Independent Study, which is a rite of passage here at the College of Wooster. I'll admit, a 25 page research project is doable, but it certainly seems daunting! It is different for other majors, but it's comforting to know I'm not alone.

Even with these fears about my impending thesis project, it's good to be back. Honestly, I really enjoy being at Wooster, and as the hours tick by, I am more and more acutely aware of how little time I have left at this school before I walk down the aisle in a cap and gown.

I'm a second-semester junior. Internship application deadlines for the summer are already flying by. Everyone's schedules are picking up, and life can, even so early in the semester, be stressful. My senior friends are graduating, and just thinking about it makes me want to tear up a bit. Heck, I'll be graduating soon! I'm excited, yet terrified, and I'm sure most college students can relate to that feeling incredibly well.

Still, you know what? Reflecting on this semester, I can't help but be amazed at how much my classmates and I have grown as people. Before I came to college, I had barely an idea of how to organize an event, and now, I spent a large section of a day planning an event for my school! (Woo-Con!, if anyone's curious. I run the vendor area. Check us out!) I have friends who are like family to me here, and that means the world to me.

I don't know what this semester holds. I know it will be challenging, but rewarding. I don't know how your semester is, but still, I have faith in you too, reader. You've got this, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

I wish you the best of luck this semester!