Halfway Point

With the first semester completed, it's important to pat yourself on the back for getting through it. Whether you did your best or just managed to get through, remember that the work you put in will go a long way toward completing your education.

Reflect on the grades you received this semester. Were they everything you hoped for? Is there anything you could have done differently? What can you do differently moving forward?

These are all important questions to ask yourself because there is always a chance to improve. Whether you are in your freshman year or your last semester, always be ready to enhance your skills. As time goes on, they say, “with age comes wisdom,” so let that wisdom be nurtured in the present.

Enjoy the vacation you have, and allow yourself to mentally reset. Don't forget that as long as you have a goal, you will always have something motivating you toward the next hurdle. One thing I loved to do was keep a to-do list. A to-do list helped keep me in check with personal tasks and schoolwork I needed to complete. I think it's important to hold yourself accountable because you are the driving force behind your life's work. When I see my goals, I want to physically apply them so that, when I look at the work I've put in, I know I can be proud of it.

This Christmas, spend time with loved ones celebrating, resting, and relaxing. But remember, it’s also important to keep your eye on the prize.