Life does not afford many fresh starts, but the structure of the college academic calendar provides students with a fairly clean slate twice a year. It would be foolish to let such an opportunity go to waste. The key to making significant changes is to make attainable and sustainable goals.
Here at The Fordham Ram, we have a few suggestions for making this semester your best one yet.
If you are a freshman, get involved. Any upperclassman almost always wishes that he or she got involved sooner rather than later in his or her respective academic career. Early involvement allows for interests to blossom and provides you with more opportunities to ascend in the ranks of clubs and activities on campus. Devoting time to extracurriculars does not simply serve to pad your resume. Activities are also a great way to expand your social circle. Though it may not seem that you have enough time to heavily involve yourself, you will find that the more you participate in extracurricular activities, the sooner you will learn time management skills. Which, in turn, will serve you well later on when internships and jobs are added to the mix.
If you are a sophomore, become more career-oriented. Your undergraduate career is nearly halfway over, with many obstacles such as core requirements, coming to an end. Begin focusing your studies on fields relevant to your future career plans or, at the very least, your personal interests. Also, do not forget about other related tasks, such as your resume. Working on your resume, honing your academic interests and considering future options, such as internships, will help focus your attention on decisions that tend to sneak up on students. It is always best to be ahead of the game.
As for juniors, remain calm and remember that you will survive the year. Junior year is stressful, but remind yourself that you are in the process of executing your plan. Also, be mindful that college should be fun. While you may be painfully aware that “the future” is approaching quickly, the wheels of your plan are already turning, and being mindful of the present will only help your momentum going into senior year and, ultimately, graduation.
Seniors, focus on relationships and finishing strongly. College is an ideal place to make connections which can be later used for career opportunities, so do not let the resources at your fingertips slip away. More importantly, make time for your friends. When your life changes following May, so will everybody else’s. Focus on solidifying lifelong friendships because making relationships last in the real world will take effort. In addition to your personal relationships, focus on professional connections as well. The Fordham community is an amazing source of support, so be sure to tap into it whenever necessary. Most importantly, make sure to be appreciative of all the people who have aided you throughout your four years here.
Lastly, be sure to give back to your community in the new year. Being a Fordham student is a blessing in itself, augmented by the plethora of opportunities provided by our campus and our city.
Make it a priority to give back in some way this semester. Even a small contribution, in the form of donations, volunteer service or some other means, makes a big difference. Remember that Fordham is not a bubble and even as you strive to reach important personal goals it is important to take a moment to look around at the world in which you live and learn.
