The start of a new semester always carries a mix of excitement, exhaustion and expectation. After winter break, campus seems to come back to life almost overnight. Dorms fill again, schedules snap back into place and familiar faces return, each carrying their own hopes for what the semester might hold. Whether winter break felt restful, busy or somewhere in between, students are officially back and stepping into a new season together.
Coming back to campus after break felt a little surreal. Rest was deeply needed, but the pace of the semester picked up almost immediately. There was no slow easing back in. One moment students were home, and the next they were back in the rhythm of classes, responsibilities and commitments. For many, the return felt real during the first Chapel of the semester. Sitting together in worship and familiarity marked the official beginning of the spring term.
That sense of return continued through moments of community like the Big Chill, when laughter filled the room and karaoke took over the night. Ending together with everyone singing “Unwritten” served as a reminder of the joy found in shared experiences. Moments like these reflect the heart of campus life and highlight the importance of community as students adjust back into routine.
Although winter break itself was busy, it offered something many students did not realize they needed so badly: rest. Not just physical rest, but the chance to slow down and listen to what their bodies were communicating. Time away from campus provided space to pause and reset before the demands of a new semester began to stack up.
As the semester gets underway, many students are entering with hopes of balance and growth. Junior Kiara Yahola shared academic goals for the months ahead. “I expect straight A’s that will recover my GPA,” Yahola said. She also emphasized a desire to focus on personal growth while navigating the pressures of coursework and responsibilities.
Senior Noelle Brezillac shared goals that reflect both personal and spiritual growth. “To double my running mileage per week by December, as well as to walk with my friends through life more because they have helped me so much,” Brezillac noted. She also expressed a desire to deepen her personal relationship with God and continue working on herself throughout the semester.
While goals vary, a common theme emerges as students begin the spring term. There is a desire to improve, to grow and to better understand both personal limits and purpose. Semesters are not always balanced, but part of creating that balance falls on students themselves, especially for those navigating a mix of online and in-person classes, internships and applications.
There is peace in remembering that God is sovereign. Trusting that He is in control and will provide brings comfort during seasons that feel fast paced or uncertain. Faith offers reassurance when routines have not yet settled and reminds students that they are not carrying the weight of the semester alone.
As campus settles back into its rhythm, students are encouraged to give themselves grace. Listening to your body when burnout begins to surface, taking care of yourself and making space for rest are just as important as staying productive. Welcome back to campus. May this semester be marked by growth, balance and trust in what God has in store.
Photo by: SNU Creative