Following nearly a month of Winter Break, Villanovans have officially returned back to campus, embarking on the second semester of the school year. For many, this transition holds limited novelty; but for many freshmen, this is an immense disruption to a norm many had only recently adjusted to.

This very adjustment was accompanied by a variety of emotions. Meagan Clancy, a current first year, noted this complexity of feelings. 

“You walk into syllabus week knowing what to expect,” Clancy said, noting she felt far less anxiety in comparison to the start of her first semester. However, with this understanding comes expectations from professors. 

“Professors know you know what to expect,” Clancy said. “There is less leniency and direct explanation of outlined rules, there is far more actual class time.”

Despite the probability of elevated expectations, Clancy also optimistically accounted for the familiarity that comes with coming back to the University.

“You have a better and more realistic idea of your schedule, and know how to best spend your time,” she said. “Students have the foundation built.”

For many freshmen, the beginning of this semester was packed with even more new opportunities, as many arrived early to participate in Greek life, try out a new major or have returned with the expectation of expanding one’s social network. But is it more difficult in the second semester?

Audrey Finelli, another first year, said the second semester is more difficult.

“Students now have groups, and it’s harder to branch out,” Finelli said. “There’s not as much desperation or motivation to be the one to reach out first.”

Others echoed these sentiments, explaining that they too feel less pressure to reach out to peers in classes than they had been last August. 

One of these students was Miriam Gondorova, an international student and member of the women’s tennis team. With the start of second semester came the start of her athletic season, which only limited her available time to meet new people outside of her matches and schoolwork. 

“Even on my day off, I have no time. I do everything I couldn’t accomplish throughout the week,” Gondorova said. 

Many freshmen expected to seamlessly transition into this semester, especially after recently discovering routines, extracurriculars and passions they spent nearly three months accumulating. However, in spite of these freshly formed connections and schedules, everyone is experiencing change in some capacity. 

Though this may initially seem to be an interference to a student’s comfort, it falls perfectly in line with many messages shared with first years upon arrival.

This past Orientation, the theme “Seize the Opportunity to Embrace New Beginnings,” was consistently chanted at the new students, who anxiously awaited the opportunity to forge connections in an originally daunting environment. 

Yet, this theme is not solely reserved to freshman year, it is incredibly applicable to each student’s semester throughout their four years at the University. Though it is far easier to fall back in line with old patterns, students are encouraged to seek out new people, activities, classes and routines.