No matter how many semesters you have struggled through, classes you have taken or books you have bought, each semester is different from the last. Whether you are the novice college student beginning to understand the tricks of the trade or the veteran senior, you can always learn something new.

It is tough getting used to the colder weather. Although, it may be even tougher understanding the rather obstinate fact that besides the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Spring Break, there is little time off during spring semester. As a sophomore and a student athlete, spring semester is one of the longest periods of time for me to go through. I can always feel the early mornings and the long nights when I wake up.

So what should we expect from the coming months filled with classes? Initially, we expect a lot of work. This semester is going to feel long, but counting down the days to Spring Break will only make it feel longer.

Along with the colder weather and the rainy atmosphere, the first couple of months mean getting back into the groove of things. For the freshmen, teachers will expect you to be able to get the hang of things during the first class meeting, so be prepared to begin homework and studying for quizzes within the first weeks.

As a sophomore and a student athlete, spring semester is one of the longest periods of time for me to go through. Now as for the upperclassmen, more is always expected of us. We have already gone through either a year or more of school and should understand the basic steps to succeeding in class. For example, if you like getting up really early in the morning, take the 8 a.m. classes. This way you can be done with classes rather early and have the rest of the day to vegetate or hang out with friends.

Leniency on absences is not to be expected. As students go through college, they learn that skipping class is not wise because the classes seem to only get smaller. Absence is noticeable.

One thing that has nothing to do with the actual classes but has everything to do with your walk is the weather. It has gotten cold and wet and it will stay that way for a while.
The start-of-fall-semester afternoons of soaking up the sun or enjoying what used to be great weather is put on hold. Going to classes will be a colder walk than what most people would expect. Or even, dare I say it, a wet one too. Bring your umbrella no matter what the sky looks like.

Now, I watch the news everyday and the one thing that has really been grabbing my attention is the Writer's Strike, which has been going on for almost 10 weeks now.

The semester will seemingly be without our favorite shows to watch. Most programs are playing reruns or have even, shockingly, been canceled. My nights have gone from being scheduled to feeling odd. I have nothing to watch; I have no group get-togethers in order to gossip about our favorite characters.

This coming semester needs to be rescheduled; otherwise, you’re sitting at home or in your dorm looking for something to watch. I plan to go out with friends and see all the great movies.

College is something that will always exceed students’ expectations because honestly we’re not in high school anymore, but that is how the teachers and staff will treat us. Be prepared and ready to expect the unexpected; anything can happen. Spring semester is always a little bit harder and feels a whole lot longer than the rest of the year, so strap yourselves in for the ride because you’re in for the long haul.