You Aren't Welcome Till Winter. Is It Right for You?

You were excited to receive a huge envelope from the university that you apply for a place. You're looking forward to a fall semester with your friends until you open the envelope and look at the content. You would start your first year on January. You were disappointed, as you couldn't imagine a college life without your friends. Think again.

More colleges don’t welcome freshmen till winter, which is not bad as you think it is. As a matter of fact, the season would force you to be resourceful about the chilly start to the term. You can count your blessings, if not learn how to manage your course work during this time of the year. Make a hot chocolate before reading the next part.

Layer Up: The Benefits of Starting in January

You have more time for reading and proofreading. There's not much to do during the winter, which could lead to depression. It's a good thing that you're in college, and you must master paper writing in the shortest time. You won't have a problem in beating the deadline, as you have more hours in revising the draft of your essay. You can also find the time for reading books and (online) articles that are not related to your assignment. It's not good to sit in the chair (and work on your assignment) for hours, so get out and inhale the cold air.

You can make new friends instantly. There are fewer students who would start the semester in January, which should be a cause for celebration. It won't be difficult to get to know each other, so don't be surprised if one would become your best friend before the end of the term. You can't let the season pass without making snowballs and throw it (as a sign of endearment).

You can find your way right away. You can spend more time in the halls while getting to know the students who have a head start. Walking might not be an option on certain days, yet the library would be always open for you. And you won't hesitate to an invitation to a party. You must be careful of the last one, as you might forget about the course work.

You won't oppose the Netflixication of academia. It has nothing to do with some students recording the lectures for a fellow student who misses it, but it's rather watching a Netflix show. You don't need to munch on popcorn unless you would do it on a Friday night, if not weekend. It can also be a movie (if you happen to study cinema) or read a book. Winter is a good opportunity to read the Peculiar Children series again, as “The Conference of the Birds”, the fifth book in the series, would be out next month. It’s also the award season, which gives you a good excuse to watch the recent episodes of nominated TV shows.

You can indulge in your hobby. You have fewer activities to choose from. If you're thinking of part-time opportunities, check your schedule first. Is the work worth it? The answer depends on your ability to make the necessary adjustment before you achieve a study-work balance. If budget is not an issue, focus on your studies solely. You can think about earning next season.

If the college is located in the big city, think of the unlimited options. You might be one of those teenagers who need stimulation, so studying in the big city should give you lots of options on going out and eating out. It's possible to do it on a student budget, as you only need to get out of your comfort zone now and then. The winter could prompt you to become familiar of the campus, which would lead to boredom sooner or later. It's not a good sign during the colder months.

Mental health won't be a problem at all. Winter is a good excuse for TV binging, if not oversleeping. You may be unaware of it, as you just started off. It should dawn on you next spring, if not summer, that starting on January may be the best thing that happened to you. This should prompt you to plan your next winter semester (and make the most out of it).

Do You Still Feel Like an Outsider?

Those who start the semester during winter would find themselves in a block group, which means you would see the same faces often. It’s not bad after looking back at the benefits of not starting during fall. You won’t feel an outsider, but something might bug you. Can you graduate on time? The answer is yes.

You may be behind your friends, but it won’t be the case during your second year. You can discuss your options with your tutor, who can suggest your enrolling in modules during the summer. On the other hand, work must be on your mind (if you have budget problems). And your family might have planned a holiday. You have time to think about it during your next holiday, as the cold could make studying more challenging than you think.