The semester is here. The summer vacation is an afterthought. We are full steam into books, football games, and on-campus parking tickets. With any change like the summer ending, there is some stress and anxiety. Here are a few tips to cure the end of summer blues and move into the semester.
Buy a New Wardrobe
College football fanatics like myself watch enthusiastically to see the new uniforms unveiled each season. Programs like the University of Oregon have made alternative jerseys a must watch. If you look good, you play good. Or work good in our cases. Go buy some new threads and be ready to sport them on the first day of school. New attire is a great way to cure the end of summer blues. We all love to sport our new shoes, pants, dress, or shirt.
Clean Your Office
As I wrote in my article “Declutter Your Office, Relieve Unnecessary Stress,” the simple task of cleaning your office can ease stress. Studies have shown that a clean work area decreases job stress and improves mental health. Start by cleaning your desk. Then move to getting rid of old outdated items. Bring in new and improved items that take up little space. Get your co-workers to help. Think about how good it will feel to walk into a newly cleaned office in your new outfit.
Look Into the Future
A key to surviving the ever-changing landscape of college athletics is to look to the future. Where does the athletic department see itself in the coming years? How will the department position itself today to inch toward that goal? The same can be done by you. How do you want your semester to go? Although your job didn’t end during the summer and start-up at the beginning of the school year, this time can be used to refocus your goals. Take some time to think about your semester. Lay out the plan and make it successful.
The end of summer blues hits many in educational institutions and athletic departments. Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do to stop time. The only remedy is to focus on ways to begin the semester on a good note. Buy new wardrobe so you look and feel good. Clean your office to declutter your space. Decide how you want your semester to go, and work toward that goal. You want to cure the end of summer blues? Move on from the summer mentality.