Aerial view of Cheyenne Arapahoe overlooking the Flatirons on a clear summer day.

Last year was… rough, and you may be experiencing a wide range of mixed emotions as you plan your return to life on campus and the semester ahead. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to help ease your transition back to CU Boulder. 


Get back into a routine

Finding a rhythm and practicing consistency can help us manage change and ease into transitions. Here are a few tips to help you establish a routine this semester:

  • Use a planner. Whether you prefer a paper planner, calendar or phone app, keeping a planner can help you build habits, get into a routine and manage your time.
     
  • Get enough sleep. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day (even on weekends). Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night can help improve your mood, memory, immune system, physical health and more.
     
  • Take a break. If you have time in between classes, find a spot to study, grab a coffee or relax. Regardless of what your schedule looks like, it’s important to make time for yourself to rest, decompress and recharge.
     
  • Make studying a habit. It can be tempting to put off studying until you know you have an exam or test coming up. However, pulling all-nighters and waiting until the last minute to study can do more harm than good. Instead, try to make studying a habit by committing time each day to get a jump start on your homework, study class materials, prepare for presentations or work through other assignments.
     
  • Get moving. Add movement to your day by making it fun! Not only will you be more likely to engage in healthy movement, but it will also be easier to make it part of your routine if it’s something that brings you joy, improves your mood or helps you de-stress. 

Make a bucket list

Creating a bucket list of things you are looking forward to this semester can help you make the most of the semester ahead. For instance, you may be excited to attend Fall Welcome, explore Boulder, join a student organization or attend more events on campus. Whatever you’re looking forward to, make note of it in your phone or planner, so you can reference it easily. Choose one or two things you want to do each month and cross them off your list.


Avoid making comparisons

It can be tempting to compare ourselves against our friends, family, peers or social media influencers. As you start a new semester, remember that everyone struggles sometimes and what you see on social media doesn’t always provide you with a complete picture of someone’s life (it’s just the highlight reel).

It’s also important to avoid comparing yourself and your life now to who you were and the life you had before the pandemic. The past year has been hard for many of us, and it's okay if things aren't how you thought they'd be up to this point. Instead of focusing on where you thought you would be, how you thought you would look or milestones you wanted to reach, focus on what life is like now. Acknowledging and accepting your current situation and practicing gratitude regularly will give you a sense of control over your life and next steps.


Take rest days

Coming back to campus may feel overwhelming, especially if you’re feeling anxious about COVID-19 or feeling pressure to jump back into the college experience all at once. Avoid overscheduling yourself with too many activities, exhausting your social batteries or saying yes when you really mean no. Instead, try to fit a rest day into your schedule whenever there is room. Practice self-care by prioritizing your own mental health, sleep, physical well-being and setting boundaries. 


Connect with campus resources

If you’re feeling nervous or anxious about being back on campus this semester, there are a number of support resources available.