We welcome a New Year after a well deserved break! I’ve been back at school for a while and I am able to manage my time efficiently now, but it was difficult at first.

My break was spent at home with family. I was around them at all times and tried my best to meet with friends. There’s a saying that goes “Distance makes the heart grow fonder.”, which I believe is true! I missed my family so much and there were many little moments that I cherished. I started to notice the small things that were overlooked. I was happy to finally rest after my first semester.

When it was time to go back to the university, it felt bittersweet. I was going to miss my loved ones but at the same time, I was excited for my new classes. Through it all, January felt easy-paced. Or so, I had thought…

I needed to get back into school mode! As a freshman, the break feels longer than what the break at high school was. I thought it was going to be a smooth transition, but I actually needed a bit more time to progress out of the mentality that I was still on the break. After the first week of classes, the pace in January picked up quickly. I felt like I hadn’t really grasped the fact that I was back. It wasn’t until the work started piling up that I had become aware that I needed to facilitate some management. I chose certain times of the day where I wasn’t doing anything and dedicated it to doing work. During these times, I had to be in a place where I couldn’t easily crawl back into my bed! I would go to quiet areas and have focus times. It truly does help. I feel better!

Sometimes, it’s tough to get back on track but it’s still possible! Whether you feel overwhelmed with your workload or not, keep in mind that management is important. I’m rooting for you!