Sydney Goggans, Staff Writer

Recovering from a five-week Winter break is a hard battle for a lot of students. Whether that means adjusting to missing the warm comfort of home or mourning the end of living freely knowing there are no classes the next day, it is not an easy task to recuperate from.

It’s only the beginning of February, but classes will only start to get more hectic from here. Here is a list of tips and tricks in order to continue maintaining good grades and motivation for your second semester.

1. Set goals. Setting goals helps us to stay focused and motivated. Whether that means striving to maintain all A’s or even simply have the goal to do better than you did last semester, then it is more likely that you will have a great semester for yourself if you plan these out ahead of time.

2. There is always a finish line. Don’t forget that the semester will eventually end. You still have your summer to be free from classes and course load. It is imperative that you do not give up in the middle of the semester due to laziness and remember there will be an end. Stay on top on your grind.

3. Work smarter, not harder. As college students, it is easy for us to get overwhelmed. Unfortunately, excessively multitasking leads to less productivity. When we work smarter by focusing on something one at a time or relieving our stress levels as we work, it is guaranteed that you can get a lot done more efficiently.

4. Go to class, no excuses. It’s very tempting to stay in bed and catch up on some sleep. However, continuing to come up with an excuse not to go to class can become a habit. Class provides you with the knowledge and potential resources that you need. As hard as it can get, remember that you are paying too much money to not go to class.

5. Create relationships with your professors. Professors are an excellent tool and resource to provide you the help that you need. You can create this relationship by showing them respect and going to their office hours to discuss the course material.

6.  Find study groups. Interacting with other students can help you gain new knowledge, develop new study tips as well as allow for support and teamwork. Learning and studying with other people can help you grasp concepts better and pursue better grades in the class.

7. Study. It is not enough to just go to class. Find time outside of class to go out on your own and study. Studying by yourself or having a study group (like discussed above) will better prepare you for class. Try to find different techniques and study concepts that fit the way you learn best.

8. Invest in a planner. Planners allow for organization. Writing assignments and due dates in a planner will help you keep track of your coursework, so you do not have to worry about missing something important.

9. Be on the lookout for extra credit. Even if you do not need extra credit, you should never give up on those opportunities. Making your grade better is always the better option. When you see those opportunities, take it. Do not walk away from it.

10.  Keep a positive mindset. As corny as it sounds, positivity is key. Keep yourself in a healthy space mentally as well as physically. Positivity will help you succeed through the semester.