The beginning of a new school year is Cornell’s version of “New Year’s Resolution”. You know what New Years and school resolutions have in common? They’re both bull sh*t. Who keeps resolutions past the first week of January? Seriously, if you have… let me know, because I’d like to meet you and learn your magical secrets.
We are all determined to be organized, relaxed, a model student, and…basically, just to keep our sh*t together. But then Fall Break rolls around, and we’re completely overwhelmed and cramming for three prelims in one night. So much for “keeping our sh*t together.” Well have no fear, because I have some “helpful” tips to keep that studious mojo going:
(1) Buy a planner.
And actually use it. See, organization can be very straightforward. Or you can just do what I did–neglect my planner that I had excitedly bought months in advance, all to end up using my phone’s calendar yet again.
(2) Create a fun workspace.
This doesn’t have to involve you spending tons of money at Pottery Barn, you can make crafts yourself. Put those research skills you learned in class to actual use and ask your best friend Google.
This can go one of two ways:
1. You’re a crafty person and this project works out, so your desk looks really nice. Too nice to touch, so you just end up doing your Psych reading on your bed–which you swore you’d stop doing after your senior year of high school–and just end up falling asleep.
2. You suck at being artsy, you attempt one DIY project and it doesn’t work out. You Google easier DIY projects, but end up spending 10 hours watching cat videos.
(3) Get a gym membership.
Refuse to get the freshman 15 (or 20, 25, 30…) or to gain any weight, no matter your year. Tell yourself that you cannot get fat and that you WILL go to the gym. Oh look, there’s a fun Zumba class on Wednesdays! How convenient that you’ll be able to work out before dinner, so you don’t feel so bad about those five cookies you’ll inevitably eat for dessert.
(4) Stop living every week like it’s O-week.
We all remember O-Week, the beauty of no assignments, no extracurricular commitments and the endless free time. Well O-Week is over, buddy, accept it and move on. You have another 365 days until the next O-week, so don’t hold your breath.
Stay in, write that paper, read those 100 pages of your Chem textbook. Try not to get caught up in Netflix or scrolling through your Instagram feed on a Thursday night while your friends are partying. Don’t give into experiencing FOMO, because you’ll be acing that exam you have Friday at 9 AM.
(5) Take Time To Relax.
Take a deep breath, close that textbook and walk over to The Green Dragon. Buy yourself that amazing latte that rivals your Starbucks staple from home and just breathe. You will be fine, and you will get your sh*t together–trust me. As one of the biggest procrastinators in the world, and a freshman still experiencing a bit of her senioritis from June, I am telling you that you will stay on your game. Embrace the challenges, the endless amounts of work, but also enjoy the study breaks with your friends, and treat yourself to an Insomnia Cookie or two. You deserve it!
You will survive this crazy place far above Cayuga’s waters, if you get, and keep, your sh*t together.
Swag