It’s that time of year again! January is coming to a close and “Syllabus Week” is upon us.
While some students are psyched to be back at BU after a long, tedious month at home, others are anxious or stressed and ready to hop right back on the plane that brought them here. Full disclosure: I live about 45 minutes away and I still get homesick when I first come back to school! Regardless, some of us are starting internships or new jobs, and others are back to the normal grind of schoolwork. Whatever your case may be, it’s important to try to start the new semester on a high note, and there are plenty of ways to do so!
Remember that the professors you have this semester have never met you before—the week ahead of you virtually a blank slate. This can work to your advantage, of course, so make sure to start off on the right foot! Ask questions and take the time to connect with people in your classes. See a dreaded group project on the syllabus? Turn to the person next to you and ask if they’re looking for a partner. You’ll be amazed at the effects some planning can have, and I can say from experience that making friends on the first day always makes that 20-page paper or the upcoming exam a little more bearable.
That being said, be sure to spend time with the friends you’ve been missing for the past few weeks as well. My favorite way to catch up with friends is to ask them to dinner at the dining hall—while it isn’t the most glamorous situation, everybody needs to eat. So why not eat together?
Coming back to school after a few weeks of total freedom can always be daunting. We’ve spent the past thirty days sitting on the couch binge watching “Making a Murderer” and eating peanut butter out of the jar, (I can’t be the only one, right?), so it’s understandable to feel a little so-so about the upcoming week. But keeping a positive attitude is the key!
Nail the first day at your new internship. Step into class on the first day and talk to someone you’ve never spoken to before. I promise, you won’t regret it!
