As the semester ends I realized that this semester could have been a lot better. I know now that I could have had a better semester, and I know there are other people who also want to have a better second semester. Normally people telling me how to get my life together really motivates me, so I thought I would compile a list to help everyone this semester. 

      1. Get rid of people causing unnecessary negativity.

This semester started off rocky because I was hanging out with the wrong crowd. Certain people can cause unnecessary stress and ridding them from your life can change your whole world. I personally started cutting off people, and it has been great for my mental stability. My school life has gotten better by leaving people in the past.

      2. Start studying. 

Studying might seem like an obvious way to get your life together, but even I will admit that I do not study. I tend to think that I will somehow do well on the test although I did not study at all and have no idea of any of the answers for the test. Even though studying is a tedious and boring task, it really helps out in the long run.

      3. Pay attention in class.

This is also something that I am guilty of not doing. Paying attention may seem boring, but you will really thank yourself when you are taking a test and remember something you learned during class. Paying attention will really help your grade, and you might start feeling better about yourself when you are making better grades.

      4. Get organized 

Getting organized can really help you in all parts of your life. My grades suffered because I was not organized. Not only did not organizing affect my school life, but it also affected my cheer life as I always was stressed when losing things. I also ended up with a demerit because I lost something that I needed for cheer.

      5. Set goals for yourself

Setting goals for yourself is a good way to get yourself motivated and ready for next semester. If you set goals and start planning how to achieve them, you are most likely going to have a more successful semester than you would if you did not. 

      6. Do not be too hard on yourself

Being hard on yourself is stressful and it can make the semester feel too long, and it can feel upsetting. Being stressed is never fun and if you want to have a good semester, you do not want to be feeling upset all the time. Do not be too hard on yourself and give yourself time to rest and do things you enjoy. 

      7. Surround yourself with good people

This one is similar to getting unhelpful people out of your life. If you are able to make friends with similar interests and ideas, then you probably going to have a better semester. Surrounding yourself with people who motivate you to do well can really change the way your semester goes. 

      8. Get into a routine

Having a good routine can help with stress and being more organized. Starting easy like waking up in the morning when you are supposed to and having a plan for your day can help you reach your goals and have a more successful semester. 

      9. Go to class

Going to class seems obvious, but there are days when you just do not want to. I know most days I wake up, and I do not want to go to school, but it helps you in the long term to go to school even if it does not seem like it does currently. 

      10. Have a positive mindset

When you are having a bad day, negative thoughts are inevitable, but trying to have a good day can really help to deal with stress and may help you be a happier person. Starting off the day with a positive mindset can really help motivate you throughout the day. Of course, we all are going to have bad days and it may not be easy to think positively, but trying to focus on the positives may be helpful for your mental health, which can help your semester be more successful.