Surviving Spring Semester

Happy New Year, Bison! I hope that everyone is having a great start to the semester. This is coming at you a little late, as everything has already started back up, but I thought I would give you all some tips on how to prepare yourselves for this semester. Spring semester is a tough one, especially as we walk through these months of terrible weather without the blissful coating of Christmas. Let’s talk about how to keep yourself sane.

Wear warm clothes

Bison, it’s chilly out here. It’s not going to get better for a while. I understand how hard it is to say goodbye to your impeccable fashion sense in the winter, but I need you all to cover up. Not because you’re not all stunning–it’s just really cold. If you must still be stylish, layer up. I’m talking turtlenecks under long sleeves under sweaters under coats. Throw on some thermal leggings under your pants. Thick socks. Boots. Hats. North Dakota-approved mittens. Go above and beyond. I care about you all and that is why I am telling you to hide yourselves behind layers and layers of clothes. Be safe.

Use a planner

This one is a bit happier. Use a planner, guys! Download your syllabi and write down your tasks in a planner. It looks really daunting at first to look at every single assignment you will have for the whole semester, but hold on to the hope that maybe some things will change. Even if they don’t, college wasn’t built for us to fail. It’s okay to fail, but I promise it’s not impossible to succeed.

Find a good coffee shop and frequent it

There’s nothing like a good study spot to brighten up the day of a depressed college student. If you are getting tired of the campus classics like the Union, Sugihara, and the library, go out and find a good coffee shop. Most coffee shops (except for Starbucks apparently) will accept you, even if you don’t get anything. Maybe get water or something so that your barista at least feels useful, though. It doesn’t hurt to get coffee. Anyway, coffee shops can be such a relaxing place to grind out some homework. A few of my personal favorites are Twenty Below (the Moorhead location has tons of seating), Moonrise Cafe, Youngblood and Thunder Coffee (either in Brewhalla or West Fargo). Crux Coffee is also great, and a bit cheaper than the other ones I’ve listed. It’s also right by campus, so you can just walk there in between classes.

Get involved–try something new!

There is no time like the present, dear Bison. It doesn’t matter if this is your last semester or your first, find something fun to do! It’s hard to keep motivation going in this bleak weather, so add a fun new activity to your schedule to liven things up. Try out a new club! Go to a museum! Look up fun classes you could take in the Fargo-Moorhead area! Step outside your comfort zone just a bit–I think that might make your semester feel a lot more exciting.

That’s all I have for you today, Bison! I hope that one or all of these things are helpful in some way. Have a great semester. Stay safe!

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