Since the spring semester is paced a little differently from its fall counterpart, here are five practical tips aimed to help you own the next four months.
1. Set honest goals
A new year and a new semester makes for an ideal time to set goals. Writing them down now encourages progress and allows you to review them periodically. Think about goals for academic, personal and professional areas of your life.
Meeting with your academic adviser once a month falls into any of these three categories. You may also look to grow artistically, spiritually or mentally in 2019.
It is not too early to think of goals for spring break or the summer months, too. Planning a budget-friendly getaway with roommates or friends for the break in March qualifies as a goal!
2. Plan ahead for warmer weather
While some hearts scream to stay inside and watch movies with hot popcorn for the first month of classes, the higher temperatures of the future will entice procrastination and smother motivation in their own way.
Consider your weather preferences before it is too late. Likely, the majority of students will thank themselves for any projects or assignments completed prior to a thawed out campus so they have more time to enjoy the weather.
3. Explore more
Try to find a new, favorite local spot or event this semester. Cozy seats in coffee shops are next to endless, and the Ice Rink in City Park remains open until Friday, Feb. 22.
Related:
A staycationer's guide to spring break in MHK
The K-State Gardens on campus will open again in March. Local trails include the Konza Prairie, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Tuttle Creek Lake and Linear Park Trail, among others.
Sporting events on Kansas State’s campus this spring include baseball, women’s basketball games, women’s tennis and a track and field meets in Ahearn Field House. These events are all free with your student ID card.
4. Use your resources
It’s never too late to look into all of the resources that K-State has to offer. The K-State Libraries’ Twitter account spits fire with snarky tweets and regular reminders about its resources while Hale Library itself continues to recover from the May 2018 fire.
Counseling Services, located in Lafene Health Center, offers four complimentary sessions to students each fiscal year, free of charge. Meanwhile, Kat Chats, group therapy and online programs provide alternatives to individual sessions.
Plus, for those already overwhelmed by their current course load, tutoring sign-ups open during the first week of classes and could singlehandedly be this semester’s lifesaver.
5. Learn the power of an hour
Set aside one hour per week to live outside yourself and open yourself up to a new perspective. Choose a friend on campus to meet with regularly — a friendship can flourish within a semester when given time and attention.
The Manhattan community supports the university and students, and older residents and young children can especially benefit from interaction with K-State students.
Contact retirement communities or local churches to find a new old friend. Big Brothers Big Sisters in Manhattan, for example, partners with students to foster unique one-on-one mentorships.
With all of these options, there are many ways to make the most of your spring semester at K-State.
Sarah Moyer is a senior in agricultural communications. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Collegian. Please send comments to opinion@kstatecollegian.com.
