One Student's Plan for Spring 2024
Going into the spring term can be daunting and exciting all at once. After the break, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by a new schedule and new courses, but there are lots of services available on and off campus that you can rely on. It’s always helpful to me each term to consider what I’m looking forward to, and what I can do to stay on top of things.
Prep for your classes
Over the course of my time at Chatham, I’ve experimented with a few ways to prepare for classes, and have found one that works best for me. Using the “Schedule” tool in MyChatham has been the easiest way for me to see the locations and times of my classes all at once. It’s also important to keep track of important dates like Add/Drop (that’s happening this term on January 16th) and the last day to withdraw from classes (this term, March 26).
I like to add all my classes to my Google calendar and be sure to include the location of the course in the notes of the event. Then when it comes to my first few days of classes, I can easily find where each class is as I go through the day without having to open my schedule each time. I try to remind myself to take the first week as a trial and see what works and what doesn’t. This way I can be sure I know my way around for the entire term.
Find events you love
I’ve also found that while prepping for my classes, it always motivates me to stay on track when I participate in events and clubs that I love. Pittsburgh is full of free events and places to spend time indoors as it gets colder.
Some of the events I’m looking forward to at the beginning of this term are:
January 10th: Student Engagement & Employment Fair
January 11th: Queer Family Dinner
January 12th: Coffeehouse Performance
January 12th: DIY Agua Fresca with Latine Student Association
January 13th: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Words and Action at Carnegie Museum of Art
January 15th: Annual MLK Brunch with Black Student Union and ODEI
January 20th: Ice Skating at PPG with CAB
These are just a few of the events I am interested in, but MyChatham always has updated events listed in the Happenings page! Community has been an essential part of success for me in college because it connects me with other people who I can relate to, and so we can rely on each other. It’s also nice to see new exciting events on MyChatham that haven’t been listed before, and fun to take a risk in going.
Wellness Check
Something else to keep in mind is the services available on campus. Student Health Services has a few new resources that could be helpful for a start to the New Year. The food pantry is available and easy to register for. SHS also offers information on nutrition and can help connect you with other food pantries in the area. You can also get more information on how to find primary care to receive checkups or take care of your physical health in the new year. The first monthly STI testing of the term is February 2nd which is free and requires no registration. Another service it is never a bad idea to utilize are the resources of the counseling center in the new year. Reaching out to talk to a counselor, or to ask about what resources they can connect you depending on your needs is a good way to start the new year.
If you need guidance or help acclimating back to school, reach out to counseling services at CounselingCenter@Chatham.edu or visit the counseling center in Woodland Hall.
Upgrade your academics
Another great way to prepare for the term's workload is to meet with the Office of Academic and Accessibility Resources. You can meet with tutors, contact the writing center, and get help organizing your work. When it comes to big assignments or help with research, you can contact the library to schedule an individual session with a librarian. Prioritizing spaces on campus that make me feel comfortable to study, and giving myself time to rest is imperative to maintaining my own mental health. I've found that a reliable routine involving these strategies has made me feel more confident approaching the school year. It’s also always nice to revisit affirming spaces on campus when I need a break or to relax my mind during the day.
Although coming back from break can be an adjustment, it’s manageable. It’s a comfort to know that everyone is adjusting in their own way, and that there’s always something to do when you need rest.
Lirit Gilmore is a Creative Writing and Food Studies student. Lirit’s academic focus is centered in food writing and how it intersects with social location and identity. She is from the DMV and the Midwest, and enjoys baking in her free time. See all her work on Pulse@ChathamU here.