Second Semester Survival Guide

Are you feeling tired? Burned out? You’re not alone. After all of the holiday festivities and the many fun events of the first semester of college comes the deadly Second Semester Slump. A seemingly eternal stretch of the final 16 weeks till summer. The excitement of coming back to school and living in a college environment has worn off, and the weather certainly doesn’t help with feeling blue. Especially in Ohio, the winter months are always accompanied with gray skies and a chill you can’t seem to shake off.

Luckily, there are a few resources at The Ohio State University to help you get through the second semester: 

Group Fitness Classes
One of the hardest parts about winter is the lack of physical activity. It’s so easy to let winter keep you stuck inside but, as cliche it sounds, one of the best things for your mental health is exercise. OSU offers fitness classes for people of all activity levels that can help you feel better both in your body and mind. These classes range from pilates to lifting to dance classes. The world’s your oyster! Another, underrated part of OSU is the Adventure Recreation Center which has a rock climbing gym. There are other students who work there that can help answer any questions you have, so don’t let the imposter syndrome get to you! 

Self Care
There is no better time to start prioritizing yourself than the present. Partaking in self care can be anything from skin care, planning for the week ahead, journaling or even having wine nights with your roommates. It’s important to start building these habits into your daily routine so you can be the best version of you! If you ever feel like you’re having a hard time and would like to get some extra help, there’s no shame in reaching out to OSU counseling services at 614-292-5766. 

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Getting Involved
One key part of the college experience is getting involved within student organizations. It’s never too late to join, and the friends you meet in clubs can last you a lifetime. You can check out all student organizations at OSU’s website and there’s truly a place for everyone, no matter how outlandish your interests may be. It can be intimidating to join a new club halfway through the academic year, but the beginning of the second semester is still a great time to try new clubs and experiences. 

Surviving the second semester of college can be a struggle, but it’s crucial to remember all of the resources OSU has to offer to help student’s thrive. This semester, try to focus on your wellbeing and cultivating your academics and relationships. Those things will certainly help you attain your best possible scores and feel more confident and comfortable at college.