Many Ohio University students view the second semester as a fresh start or a do-over. They put any failed assignments, bad decisions and poor diets behind them and start over with the new year in January.
Some Bobcats' second semester goals place emphasis on academics, including grade point average improvements, taking challenging classes and increasing study time. For others, getting active is a top priority, and soaking in final memories is important.
With summer around the corner and the weather slowly starting to warm up, spending time at the Ping Recreation Center becomes routine as Bobcats flock to the gym to get out of their “winter funk.”
With the center’s rock-climbing wall, multiple weight rooms and variety of fitness classes, students are able to find their own ways of sticking to goals, without being too hard on themselves.
Esperanza Morales-Rivera, a freshman studying international business, is focused on staying active throughout the semester to better herself.
“This semester, for my ‘keep more active’ goal, I’m definitely trying to go to Pilates twice a week,” Morales-Rivera said.
Morales-Rivera said staying active is not a big challenge for her, as she has taken fitness classes before and was already living an active lifestyle. Along with getting active, Morales-Rivera said she set academic goals for the semester, such as completing assignments early and sticking to a planner.
Not all students are focused on fitness this semester, as some have also developed academic goals similar to Morales-Rivera, like Tatum Parry, a freshman studying social work.
“(I want to) definitely pass my classes really well and study way more than I did last semester,” Parry said. “I really like going to every class, paying attention and locking in.”
Parry said she found the motivation to make these changes because of the stress she was under in the first semester, a problem many other students struggle with. Although these changes might be easier said than done, Parry said cultivating strong friendships and talking through the challenges is important to be successful.
“Talk to people,” Parry said, “I got so stressed that I wouldn’t even tell anybody, and I felt like I lost a support system.”
Despite having different goals, Morales-Rivera shares the same outlook as Parry, gaining motivation from those around her.
“I think just the people around me and seeing my friends from home thrive, I was like, ‘Okay, I can do this too,’” Morales-Rivera said.
Ruby Horgan, a senior studying biological sciences, said she is taking the focus off academics this semester and refocusing on her short time left in Athens.
“I think my biggest goal for the semester is to enjoy my little time I have left in college,” Horgan said. “I'm really happy that I have gotten through a lot of my harder classes … I'm excited to prioritize seeing friends before we all go our separate ways.”
As Horgan prepares to graduate from OU, she hopes Bobcats creating new goals and bettering themselves make sure to lead a balanced life as the semester goes on.
“Definitely stay on top of your work,” Horgan said. “It is great to have a social life, but don't let it overshadow assignments.”
