Embracing Change for the New School Year
Every time I started a new year in college, I would have a flood of emotions arise in me. It was a mixture of excitement, fear, anxiety, and optimism. I felt like my energy was always all over the place when, ultimately, I just wanted to have the best school year possible. I came to find that these four steps outlined below helped me ease my way into each new school year.
#1 Embrace the Unknown
Embracing the unknown is key. Approach new experiences, people, and challenges with curiosity rather than fear. This is something that will apply to you inside and outside of your college career. Another perspective that supported me was having a growth mindset. If you can start to look at change as an opportunity to learn and grow, rather than something to avoid, it will truly help you in the long run. This helped me, because I now know that things never stay the same, and they are always changing and evolving.
2. Build a Support System
Building a support system and staying connected with your peers is crucial. Join clubs, attend social events, and make an effort to meet new people. Seeking mentorship is also something beneficial. Look for upperclassmen, professors, or counselors who can offer guidance and support. You will be surprised to see who would love to support you on your journey.
3. Stay Organized
Staying organized and creating a routine that works for you will help alleviate stress when embracing change. Establish a daily schedule that balances academics, social activities, and self-care. All these are important pillars, because the school year can get hectic! Being organized is a skill, and I had to develop it throughout the years. And in the season of change, I am still finding myself developing new ways to improve my organizational skills.
4. Set Goals
Lastly, you want to set goals for yourself. Define short-term and long-term goals to stay focused and motivated. Knowing the difference between the two and your current capacity is important, because you do not want to spread yourself too thin. You always want to maximize your time so you can make the most out of it.
I know this upcoming year of change is going to be a great one for you. I want you to know we all deal with some level of anxiety, but there are ways to manage it and embrace the changes throughout the semester that come with it. Whenever you feel like things are out of hand, come back to this blog, reread, take a deep breath, and KNOW, you got this! I am cheering you on!
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Aaron K. Wilson doesn’t just encourage his audience to achieve their goals, he uplifts them to the next level. He is on a mission to help students overcome their insecurities and achieve their goals. Learn more about his programs at https://www.campuspeak.com/speakers/aaron-wilson/