Spring semester: guide to surviving the spring blues

BY DREW FLEMING

Associate Producer

As the spring semester begins at Tarleton State University, it’s a vital time for students to stay connected to their school work and social life. With the new semester comes new schedules and coursework, which can be more overwhelming than the fall semester. 

With spring setting in, unpredictable weather also welcomes students back to campus. While it may be difficult to get out in the cold to walk to classes, having the right essentials start the semester off the right way. A spring semester survival kit can help you ease into the new year; here’s a guide to help you unpack a successful semester. 

1. Planner/Calendar

Keeping an organized calendar is essential to getting through the spring semester. Using a digital calendar like Google Calendar or a paper planner can help ease the process of managing your course load and social life. 

Organizing using a calendar proves useful and helps with time management and forgetfulness. Students can organize their planner by using their course syllabus to put in assignments, quizzes and exams dates to plan ahead for them. As well as staying on top of organization and social events you may have. 

2. Mental Health Essentials

The spring semester can be mentally draining, especially as students juggle new classes and extracurricular activities. It’s always important to keep up with your mental health and check in with yourself so you don’t get overwhelmed. 

Managing your time well can help you avoid stressful situations, and making time for yourself by going to the gym or hanging out with friends allows you to use an outlet and not be too consumed with school. 

If you find yourself struggling with your mental health, Tarleton’s Student Counseling Service is always available to assist you. Making an appointment to talk with someone about your struggles or stress can help you better manage the overwhelming semester. Using the Tarleton mental health resources is easy: just use their website to make an appointment at www.tarleton.edu/counseling/. 

3. Healthy snacks and staying hydrated.

Staying hydrated and eating well is crucial for fueling your body during the jam-packed semester. It’s easy to make a habit of eating unhealthy food when you get busy. Making sure to stock up with nutritious snacks this semester is a great way to stay mentally and physically balanced. 

4. Warm weather clothes

Spring can be a difficult season when it comes to weather. 

With Texas weather, it’s not unusual to experience a nice sunny day one minute and cold rain the next. A portable umbrella is important to keep in your car in case you get stuck in the rain. 

Another helpful piece of clothing to warm up your walk to class is a heavy jacket to help with rain or freezing temperatures. Comfortable shoes also go a long way to keep your feet warm during the commute to class. 

5. Use campus study resources and the Recreation Center  

Along with school supplies, Tarleton offers many study resources that prove very helpful when you find yourself struggling in class or in need of a second opinion on an important paper. To aid in student success, Tarleton offers on-campus resources to help students outside of the classroom. On-campus resources include the Writing Center, Math Achievement Center and the Recreation Center. 

According to their website, the Math Achievement Center offers free tutoring service provided by the Mathematics department and the College of Science and Mathematics. It is located in Room 203 of the Mathematics Building.

More information can be found on their website. 

“The Writing Center is a free support service for those who need assistance at any stage of the writing process. For either face-to-face or synchronous Zoom sessions, students may also email their work to the Writing Center through our Online Tutorial Service,” the Writing Center website shares. 

The Tarleton Recreation Center offers classes that allow students to forget about their troubles and focus on staying healthy and exercising. These classes include: kickboxing, pilates, cycling and many more. Check out more posts around the recreation center or on their app which can be found in the bio of their Instagram @tarletonrec. 

6. A Support System

Finally, never underestimate the power of having a friend or family member to lean on. 

College is an extremely stressful time, and having someone to talk to and spend time with is crucial to staying motivated. It’s important to remember to lean on your loved ones when you’re feeling overwhelmed; it can make all the difference. 

Spring semester is the perfect time to reset, rejuvenate and focus on making it the best semester possible. By making sure your survival kit includes everything you need to stay organized, healthy and balanced, you’ll be ready to take on whatever challenges come your way.