In just a blink of an eye, my three-and-a-half semester break is gone. Seems to me like it was just yesterday that I walked out of the exam hall with a big wide smile on my face, all ready to embrace the holidays with open arms – but little did I know that that scene actually happened 3 weeks ago.

Right now, I’m back to being a full time student once again – pursuing my fourth semester in Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. My 3 weeks break was filled with food, food, and more food. Being a Chinese, the celebration of Chinese New Year will never be complete without good food. Every meal was so complete and rich in flavor of all sorts that the word ‘hunger’ was never heard of nor was it felt by anyone at home.

In the midst of all the Chinese New Year celebration, eating and collecting of red packets, I received a piece of good news! If my semester break were to be a movie, that piece of news would be the climax. The good news is none other than my semester 3’s results. Out of five subjects, I managed to score 4 A’s and 1 B!

I was literally on cloud nine. That is by far the best result I’ve ever achieved in the history of my university life, and I couldn’t be more happy and proud of myself for not giving up. Looking back, my revision period this time around was one of the most challenging ones yet. It was December 2012, and it’s a month where most activities and events take place, and where responsibilities become most heavy. I had to juggle between studies, family, work, friends, church, and many other non-tangible responsibilities. It wasn’t easy at all, but I managed to pull through.

The key thing is to really find a balance between all these areas of your life. I was so tempted to solely devote myself to studying 24/7 while I shut off every other area for a couple of months, until my exams are over. But I learned that things don’t work that way. The solution is really to study smart by making full use of the time that you have. The way to do it is by putting off distractions of all sorts like hand phones, exit that Facebook and Twitter tab on your laptop, and study in a conducive environment.

After you’re done studying for the day, spare yourself a couple of hours for your very own ‘me time’. Many a times we often find ourselves claiming to be ‘busy’ but what we are really lacking in isn’t time, but our ‘me time’. Go do something that you like, something that makes you happy. Read a book, go for a jog, cook for yourself or your family, do some gardening, grab a cup of coffee, go for a hair wash. It can be literally anything. Having your own ‘me time’ can help to relieve stress too.

Lastly, I just want to assure you that hard work really does pay off. Don’t be afraid to work hard and study hard because you will surely see the results. You may not immediately jump from a C grade to A, but there will definitely be improvements if you do things in a balanced manner and a right attitude that always seeks progress and knowledge.

Now a new semester has begun! I’m back on my usual studies schedule, and the word ‘assignment’ has made its way back into my vocabulary once again. Each semester will only be more challenging than the next, but we can always be more prepared than how we were in our previous semester too.

If you have also just started your semester – start it well, and more importantly, end it well!