Embracing the New Normal

Although back-to-school season is feeling a little bleak, let’s make the most of this experience.

With the coming of hot summer’s sun and falling burnt orange maple leaves, back-to-school season as a longhorn has always been a refreshing breath of fresh air. The return from your long-winded vacation is all worth it when you finally hit the Forty Acres and bask in the glory of reconnecting with friends and relishing in their spontaneous summer adventures. Unfortunately though, this fall looks a little bit different. As we are facing a global pandemic constituting a not-so-friendly virus, it is important that we take strides to ensure that our motivation, happiness, academic drive, and will to continue strong is intact— even if it’s from the comfort of our bedrooms.

Invest in a planner (and blue light blocking glasses, too).

Staying consistent with a mutable semester can be quite the task. Keeping track of your day-to-day homework assignments, projects, meetings, and internship schedule in your head can not only become an added stressor, but a bad habitual practice. Investing in a physical planner to write down your tasks can make all the difference! Retail stores like Ross, Burlington, and Marshalls have great selections of creative and aesthetically pleasing planners made just for you and your busy schedule. Google Calendar, Do!, and Artful Agenda are also a few of the many great digital alternatives to planning out your day. And while you’re at it, hop onto Amazon.com and purchase a pair of blue light blocking glasses to ease the strain from looking at Zoom all day.

Build a study schedule.

Many people might be thinking, “Maintaining consistent good grades this semester is impossible now.” Well, that’s a myth and you still have time to create the ultimate game plan. Studying can seem extremely unapproachable if you don’t know where to begin. Start by outlining what your days outside of class look like in your new handy-dandy planner. Try designating roughly 2-3 hours of study time daily, and review the material from your classes and their respective subjects the day you get it—so the material is fresh & feasible. That way, you are giving your brain equity over all subjects and building your retaining memory simultaneously.

Create a list of attainable goals.

Did you have a ton of goals to reach prior to the pandemic? Of course you did. And although most of your specific goals like plans to study abroad or intern in New York City have changed, you can still make attainable goals by first making an attitude change! Your outlook is the first way to view your situation differently. See this season as an opportunity to take more time out in your life that you barely gave yourself beforehand and plan weekly goals for yourself. Think about making SMART goals, or goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound. Whether it’s as little as working out 4 times a week, meal prepping your favorite dinners to eat after your 7 p.m. class, or getting an A on your first physics exam—all are very doable, attainable and can snowball into bigger, grander goals at the end of the semester.

Reward yourself.

In working towards your goals, setting up a personal “rewards system” could encourage you to stay hopeful and recharge when necessary. During this challenging time, giving yourself a pat on the back is a form of self-care that will assuage your anxiety and is just as important as the success you’re trying to reach. The scorching Texas heat can signal the arrival of unwarranted pimples, so this is a call to action for new skin care routines. Instead of spending an all-nighter on Friday night studying, consider doing a clay or peel-off mask by Freeman and turn on your favorite Netflix binge. While you’re at it, preheat your oven and bake your favorite delight. If your roommates are free, use this time and reconnect over a movie night to relax, renew, and remember that happiness can indeed be found in the small little things. And the best part? You’ll thank yourself for this Monday morning.

Be present and do what you can.

Although this isn’t the most ideal situation for anyone, understand that your concerns about life getting back to “normal” do indeed matter. Be sure to always remember though: you can only control matters within your own power. Try taking control of things that are easy to pivot with your authority: your sleep schedule, the way you decorate your room, your grades, your physical health, what kind of books you wish to read, or even that creative portfolio you’ve been putting off for too long that needs a kickstart. Although your happiness can be defined by life’s tragedies, it can also be defined by your personal triumphs. Relax and rest assured that one day, this will all come to pass.