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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 ²ÊÃñ±¦µä.Ìý

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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.Ìý

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.Ìý

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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.

Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS)

Ìýoffers a variety of mental health services, including brief individual counseling, workshops, group therapy and Let’s Talk consultations.

Workshops

Join CAPS for one of their weekly workshops that cover a number of topics, including stress, anxiety, relationships, healthy living and more.

Join a workshop

Let's Talk

Check in with a mental health provider through an online telehealth appointment for free. Let’s Talk counselors can provide insights, solutions and information about additional resources. Students commonly visit with concerns about stress, sadness, worry, relationships, financial struggles, academics, family issues and more.

Visit Let's Talk drop-in hours

Skill-based therapy groups

Skill-based groups help students build skills around specific areas of mental health, including mindfulness, acceptance and emotional regulation.

Explore skill-based groups

Process therapy groups

Process groups are available for undergraduate and graduate students. These groups provide a supportive space to deepen self-understanding and explore ways of relating to each other. Groups are also available for students who identify as students of color, trauma survivors, transgender and gender creative, bipolar and women of color.

Explore processÌýgroups

Peer Wellness Coaching

Peer Wellness CoachesÌýare here to listen and work with you one-on-one to set wellness goals and connect to the resources that can help you achieve them.

Collegiate Recovery Center (CUCRC)

Ìýprovides community, support and connection for students in recovery or seeking recovery from a wide range of behaviors.Ìý

Recreation Center

Physical activity can help improve our physical and mental well-being.ÌýThe Rec CenterÌýis a great way to get acclimated to campus, meet new people and become part of an active community.Ìý