And just like that, we’ve made it to December again. Another semester is almost behind us with imminent finals breathing down our necks. We all know how much I enjoy writing in clichés so I must say, the past few months really did fly by. And if you’ve caught some of my earlier editorials, you may also know that I believe that all good things come in threes. A summary of this semester: motions, memories, mistakes were made; opinions, objectives, outlooks were obtained; achievements, avant-gardes, accomplishments were attained (I also enjoy alliteration).
This semester, like most, definitely came with challenges. You may have challenged yourself with difficult classes, over-committed yourself to many extracurriculars, and felt emotionally drained at times. But despite every physical, emotional, and mental battle thrown your way, you made it to the last stretch, and for that, you should be proud. Whatever your experience may have been, I am positive that this semester has contributed in some way to your personal growth. And so, as the semester comes to a close, I implore you all to do the following: Rest, Remember, and Reflect (RRR).
RRR was first coined by one of my closest friends during the Fall 2021 semester, quite an eventful time in our lives. We were both excited to be back in Hoboken after spending an eternity on online school; you’d often find us spending time adventuring outside our apartment and enjoying the pleasures of a lesser-COVID-stricken world. At first, RRR-ing seemed silly to me, but as time moved on, the concept stuck and became a necessary ritual. And so, after each eventful excursion, we’d wake up the next morning, grab bagels and coffee, and then Rest, Remember, and Reflect on our recent experience.
Rest
I know you have finals, that end-of-the-semester event to plan, your part-time job, and tons of homework and group projects on your plate. But it might just do you some good to stop working on overdrive and take a break. Rest. There’s no point in trying to finish the semester on fumes. So grab a bagel and a coffee from your favorite spots, find a spot on Pier A, and just take some time to decompress.
Remember
Now that you’re equipped with the proper tools, take some time to remember the happenings of this semester. Remember the good memories: how you got closer to new people, the fun you had dressing up for Halloween, the exciting places you visited in the city, and whatever else you will cherish from Fall 2022. Take some time to remember the not-so-great things too, they’re equally as important. And if you really want, maybe recall some of those confusing topics from class so you’re not totally in the dark when finals approach.
Reflect
Finally, you’ve reached the most important part. If you’re an underclassman, explore the positives of this semester and think about some goals you can make for the next. If you’re older, think about how your experiences at Stevens have prepared you for the next phase of your life as you embark into real adulthood. Whichever way you choose to reflect, make a mental note of some important takeaways.
And that’s it, you’ve RRRed! Hopefully, you see that it’s a simple, yet effective practice. After taking some time to RRR myself, I’ve already started to look back on this semester with nostalgia. I’ve felt the payoff of my hard work, reinforced important lessons I’ve learned, and felt proud of what I’ve ultimately accomplished this semester.
Of course, there are multiple ways to RRR (while bagels and coffee can add to the experience, I will admit they are not essential). And while it may seem like a silly practice, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. You may just be surprised about what you discover about this semester and yourself.
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