A new year, a new problem.

I haven’t written my column since I’ve been promoted to the “big guy” (not that I’m bragging that I am editor, except I actually am editor), but for just this once (or twice, or maybe a bunch of times) I am going to bring back my column, “How to solve a problem like Maria.” Oh yeah, you heard me right, it’s back, you have my permission to jump for joy or do whatever you do when you get excited (I smile at my laptop seductively.)

For this column I thought to myself, “should I be serious for once? It wouldn’t hurt right?” Well, let me tell you, seriousness is overrated. Over—wait for it—rated. Overrated.

Now on with the advice! I tend to do that, talk and talk and forget that I actually need to GIVE advice. So here we go.

This advice shall be about tackling the second semester—and honestly, I didn’t know that this first one had ended. I just wander through the halls, steno in hand and head in the clouds.

For this semester, keep in mind that the school is not quite over, so don’t go throwing your homework down senior rail just yet. Turn it in for full credit and get an “A” for once, you need it.

Also, remember that this is high school, it’s the real deal. You need to focus because anything you do will affect the rest of your life and your children.

I prepare for a new semester by reevaluating my entire life ambitions. When the calendar hits January 30th, I panic over how my next few months will turn out. Will I be able to contain my excitement until the end of the year or will I just let the nasty, yet tasteful disease of “Senioritis” take me down. I wouldn’t know. I keep telling myself that this semester will be different, and after four years at this school, I still have doubts. However, in these three years, I have learned a lot about transitioning into a new semester. You gotta focus and get all your work done. Yeah, that’s what you’re supposed to do. But I mean seriously. Who can focus when there’s only 84 days of school left? 82 until graduation. I don’t know about you, but asking me to stay focused on integrals or how Congress works when my eye is already on the prize, it ain’t gonna happen. My precious mind is otherwise occupied trying to figure out how to spend my spring break and what shade of lilac to use in my dorm room next year.

In short, don’t expect to get much done this second semester, it will only breed disappointment and suffering.