While it is expected that students enjoy this time off from classes, summer break should also be used for the restructuring of one’s game plan for the next semester.

I understand with the dread of finals week long past us, we probably all want to hop right to the fun of spending our time on sunny-skied beach adventures, late-night parties and sleeping until two in the afternoon.

But remember that time moves fastest when you’re enjoying good times, which means the fall semester will eventually creep back into the horizon.

With that in mind, it’s a good idea to take some time this summer to make a plan for when classes start up again.

I know, I know—who wants to think about the next semester

when you have so much free time? With plans of basking in the sun on the beach, going to a water park or going the vampire life route by sleeping all day, it’s hard to want to think about work and actual goals. Yuck.

Beginning to create a new plan for the next semester can be quite beneficial and even crucial, especially for those who may have had a rough time getting by this past semester.

It’s important to set goals you know you can achieve and you know are realistic.

Before the beginning of every semester, I reflect on the past semester and what I liked and didn’t like. It is here where I both revise and create my plan.

I know for me, while this last semester was not horrible, it certainly was not one I would like to repeat this fall.

So I know that I shall definitely be coming up with new strategies of eliminating the obstacles I found myself constantly facing.

“I think making a new game plan is definitely something students should do to try to help make their semester smoother and successful,” said Shyla Flakes, junior physical therapy major. “I am definitely planning mine out now to reach my goal GPA. I have no time for any more setbacks.”

Flakes mentioned not having time for any setbacks; essentially, that is the beauty of creating a game plan.

Sure, things may not always go as planned, but it is still best to have some idea of what you may want to become reality so that when it is time to execute your plan, you will not have any setbacks and can further move yourself along to your established goals.

So, while you may be sitting idly somewhere reading this, perhaps it may be a good time to begin thinking about next semester and what exactly you want to be the result of the coming school year.

Even ideas as simple as starting your homework a day earlier or making a weekly to do list can help you stay ahead in class.

Just make sure whatever you are doing to prepare is focused on improving your grades and in turn, easily reducing your stress come next semester’s finals week.

It might seem tedious and unnecessary to plan for school over your summer break, but it’s much better to have a plan than to be left kicking yourself later in a state of regret.