Even a Student Union abuzz with a mechanical bull and hot chocolate to boost the ears, stomach and eyes cannot disguise returning to school on a dreary day in the middle of January. After the anxiety of last semester's finals, holiday stress and a month of cramming in hours at work, many students may find their holiday break didn't give them a break at all.
Kelly Miller, a sophomore environmental engineering major, said getting back into the groove of the semester took some planning ahead. She returned to school a few days early to clean her house, top to bottom.
"It was trashed. Our landlord doesn't know it, but we have a lot of pets. I got a vacuum for my birthday so things got a little bit tidier," she said.
She also made plans for an early semester diversion.
"After the party on Friday though, it's going to be a mess again," she said.
As president of the temporary SA club, Engineers for a Sustainable World, Miller said she also took the time to organize club business.
"I've got my whole schedule on my Palm Pilot, and my homework as well, I'm that dorky," she said.
Most students have high hopes for improving their organizational and study skills at the beginning of every new semester, but realize it may only be wishful thinking.
"This time I'm trying to do all my homework and buy all my books," said David Cownie, a senior English major.
Cownie said he is optimistic his classes will be as interesting as he expects, which will motivate him to complete the work for the classes, as opposed to previous semesters.
Michael Borowiak, a sophomore chemistry major, has similar ambitions. With a heavy course load of science classes, at the beginning of each semester he organizes the study time that will be needed to devote to each subject.
"I suppose I should try and study more, but I always say that," he said.
Sean Petro, a junior English and history major who works 40 hours a week during the school year, in addition to a class load of five courses, purchased a laptop this semester to make the most of free moments between classes.
Dr. David Gilles-Thomas, associate director of UB's counseling services, said it is common for students to become burned out or develop depression at the beginning of the spring semester or mid-way through, especially after transition from home to school life.
Thomas recommends that students take the time out of their schedules to reflect on their personal goals and priorities for the semester, as well as long-term goals. He said that bouncing ideas around with a counselor, friend or clergy member could help relieve the stresses of a busy semester, and help put things into perspective.
According to Thomas, students need to ask themselves, "Am I living the life I want?"
"Make sure you find some level of balance in your schedule, that it isn't all academic or social," Thomas added, which includes taking care of yourself.
The freshman crowd will probably be making the most changes, as they learn what works for them through trial and error.
Ysana Perez, a freshman undecided major, said she made sure to change her schedule this semester, choosing earlier classes over late morning classes.
"I would stay up and not do anything remotely important," she said.
Perez and her roommate also reorganized their dorm room so that it provides a better study environment, and she made sure to get her books at the bookstore, instead of ordering them online and waiting a few weeks for them to arrive.
Perez also said her diet was due for a makeover.
"I started noticing I can't eat pizza everyday," she said, smiling. As part of her New Year's resolutions, Perez said she plans to try to eat healthier and exercise this semester.
Senior American studies major Dan Whalen has practice at getting himself motivated for the spring semester after a month of vacation. Unlike his younger counterparts, with one semester left, Whalen hasn't bothered changing his current system.
"I'm really excited just to see it finished with," he said. "Starting back after Christmas, it's business as usual, same old, same old. I should be resolving to get a 4.0, but at this many credit hours, it really doesn't matter."
Friends Courtney Creenan and Stephanie King are both equally unexcited at the start of a new semester.
"I always like the fall semester better," King said, a sophomore math and computer science major. For King, the spring semester drags.
Creenan, a sophomore environmental design major who commutes from home said she cleaned out her room in anticipation of the upcoming semester, but when she arrived today on campus, wasn't as excited as she thought she would be.
"I realized all of the work that I have to do now," she said. "It is the longest day ever."
