For a majority of us freshmen, winter break has been the first time we have had the chance to live at home for an extended time since beginning our collegiate career. This is a time we use for many things, primarily for ourselves and our family. However, in a matter of a few more weeks, we will be back in school starting a new semester. As anything new does, a new semester brings a chance for a (possibly) much needed fresh start. However, in order for us to make the best of our future, I find it to be most beneficial for us to look at what we are presently given and make something from it.

Right now while we are at home, we are blessed with one thing that is significantly minimized by classes: time. Yes, we have more time in college than we did in high school with 8 hours of classroom time a day, but our time usage is still dictated by when assignments are due. In contrast, we have the chance to use our break however we see fit. For many of us that means getting a seasonal job, for others that means spending as much time as possible with friends and family. For me, the chance to have undictated time provides enough to prioritize what we do very little of in college: our health.

A fresh start is only as fresh as the mind and body you bring into it, and that is why I believe revitalizing oneself when given the time is an important factor in one’s success throughout school. Not only do our bodies need to recover from a lessened immune system caused by stress from finals and a crowded living quarters, but we need to find times to work on our mental health. The stress of college is not minimal, and when we have the chance to come home and “clean house,” it allows us to declutter all the stress that has built up throughout the semester.

All good things must end, which doesn’t necessarily mean that another good thing won’t follow. So, as our time at home for winter break dwindles, I find that it is best to both capitalize on the time we have left and determine what we want out of the upcoming semester. There is always room to improve, and most importantly to make the most of our education. This means that each semester is a chance to renew both our work ethic, as well as our passion for learning. The most reassuring feeling is recognizing that you’re looking forward to classes in your field of study for the next semester.

Going into another semester means we’ve finished one, and have one less in front of us. While ending our time at home trying to “forget” about the horrors of the past semester, we best prepare in optimism for the semester that’s to follow. After all, while we only have so much at home during breaks, we also only have so many semesters left to start.