With the fall semester quickly approaching, it is easy to become consumed in the stresses and workload that come with school. Whether you’re an incoming freshman or a senior entering your final year of college, the demands of fall semester can seem overwhelming. With different classes, meetings and events to attend, and new living arrangements, it is important to find ways to manage these responsibilities so they do not become a chore, but something to look forward to. In order to bypass the stresses of the semester ahead, embrace this opportunity for change and growth. Tap into some strategies to take on a more positive mindset.
Get Organized
Planning to move in, adjusting to a different schedule, beginning new classes, all the while trying to map out your social life, can become all-consuming and intimidating. To prevent this stress from building in the first place, keep it simple: write out a to-do list for the upcoming semester. This can be as plain as making a list of things to pack before moving in. With this, you will have a clear idea of what needs to be packed. This can lift some of these worries surrounding the move-in process and provide a clearer timeline.
Next, make a planner or calendar that is easy to read. With this, you can write out your class times and other responsibilities to allow for a clear visualization of free time. Find productive ways to fill your time and really set yourself up for success. Map out a schedule and initiate specific activities, such as workout classes, yoga, lifts at either of our gyms, or simply a walk on the bike path. By carving out time to better yourself both physically and emotionally, you’ll already have set yourself up for a healthy and successful semester. That being said, it is important to set goals for yourself for this upcoming semester. Whether this is limiting your screen time, joining a club that is new to you, or incorporating more movement into your day, write down some things that you’d like to accomplish and hold yourself accountable this semester.
Be Well, Belong
As I mentioned in our previous Flourish Through the Chaos blog, incorporating movement and other positive habits into your daily routine will prove for a more successful semester, and a balanced lifestyle altogether. Take the month of August to delve into what allows you to recharge and reset. This way, once we jump into the fall semester, you will have routines and hobbies that assist in managing stress, while at the same time, prove energizing. To explore our many facilities, intramural sports, and workout classes that you can participate in this semester, check out this link!
Aside from exercise and sports programs, Campus Rec provides outlets for well-being that do not involve physical activity. With self-care nights, yoga and meditation classes, and our Wellness Center in Fascitelli, students are sure to find something that helps them unwind and feel their best. Check out our team’s wellness programs through this link. Our mission is to allow for experiences and activities that will better your college experience, not just your body.
As someone who has been immersed within Campus Rec throughout my college experience, I can confidently say that the programs and opportunities it offers have played a meaningful role in my college career. This fall, I will begin my final year of college. Many of my opportunities and experiences throughout my college career can be attributed to Campus Recreation. My best friends are my teammates from club sports. Mackal Field House is my main outlet for movement and allows me to reset. The intramural sport program has provided me with opportunities to try new sports, meet a variety of people, and even employ me with my first on-campus job! You never know who you’ll meet and where an opportunity will take you. Whether you are looking to connect, move, or find balance, Campus Recreation is sure to provide what you need. Whether you are an incoming freshman or going into your final year of college, Campus Rec has many avenues to offer you.
Soaking Up Summer
The first day of classes is not until September 3rd! That being said, there is much more of summer to be lived. Summer is the season to be outside, do things you love, and take on new adventures. However, this does not stop when classes begin. URI creates opportunities for students every day to try new things, meet new people, and encourages students to explore activities that they are passionate about.
This fall semester marks the beginning of my senior year. I am sure I speak for many of my peers when I say that this is an overwhelming time. I feel so much excitement to be moving back into college with my best friends. At the same time, I am feeling apprehensive about entering my final year of college. This season represents a series of lasts: my final fall semester, my closing year of field hockey and swimming, and the last year I will call URI home.
I have found myself trying to focus on the present and understand that two things can be true at once. I can be enthusiastic about starting my senior year, yet down to be knowingly living my final year of college. For some freshmen, it can be upsetting to move away from home, yet thrilling to begin this new college chapter. College is centered around learning and growing. With this, allow yourself to feel every emotion that you will undergo on this journey. Campus Rec caters to the student body, providing the community with facilities and programs to immerse themselves in, get connected, and reset. I am approaching this semester knowing that there will be ups and downs, yet comforted by the fact that I have outlets such as group exercise, weight lifting, and the ability to take walks and runs whenever with Campus Rec. Lean into the resources around you this semester and allow yourself to grow, reset, and thrive.