Reintroducing school’s daily routine is tough for students. After the break, navigating campus, finding classes, internships, and commuting back and forth, new and returning students can often struggle.

Speaking to a few students at the College of Staten Island, I learned how students balance personal time with some of life’s academic challenges as they begin a new semester and a different schedule.

Gio Darpa, an Accounting major in his fourth semester at CSI, explained his commute to campus. “Right now, I’m taking five classes, if I have a class at 10, my commute usually takes me 40 minutes to an hour, so in reality I’m leaving my house before nine o’clock.”

He also talked about aspirations and opportunities to strive for, as well as the internships and other responsibilities he is handling in school. Darpa spoke about how much higher-level courses have been stressing him out, especially while actively looking for internships or apprenticeships. It’s not easy to balance.

Sofia Raia, who is in her third semester, believes she has slowly and calmly become well-adjusted with her experience in college and on campus. We also discussed how it could be difficult to commute even while living on Staten Island. Raia, an undergraduate at CSI who is taking four classes, prepares by leaving her house early and bringing everything she needs with her to face the early trials of the semester.

“I’ve been slowly doing better with classes than when I started. I think it’s just the commute that’s kind of stressful sometimes, I take a bus and it takes about an hour to get here.”

Returning student Xiani S. was one of many students in 1P finding time to destress during a gap in her schedule. In her second semester as a Business major, she doesn’t believe in preparing for the semester other than mentally preparing. Five classes create a heavy burden, and though she doesn’t feel as confident as she can, she plans to take things one step at a time.,

“I’m not really preparing, I’ve been through this already so I’m not new to this, but making sure I’m choosing the right classes and right professors is important. I use Rate My Professor and I ask other people who have taken their classes for information to prepare.”

Xiani also takes the bus, commuting from outside of Staten Island. She says it is a tiring two-hour process that has her considering transferring schools, but she admittedly enjoys the journey at times.

Conversing with first-year student Karim Elnagar, an Engineering Science major, he spoke about the difficulties of being a first-year student. As he spoke about his classes and enrolling with an adviser, he understood he’s not taking all the classes he wants or felt necessary toward his major.

“It’s difficult but I’m trying. Along the way, there have been setbacks but I keep going. A lot of people tell me you have to commit so I’m trying and taking other people’s advice. It really helps out when somebody tells you the whole point is to keep going because a lot of people don’t finish and you’ll be different than everyone else if you keep going.”

Speaking with Elnagar in a chaotic atmosphere in 1C, he seemed to have a good head on his shoulders. As a first-year student, while taking some tougher math classes like calculus he seemed to be determined to finish school no matter what it takes.

Through the hardships students face before and during the trials of a college semester, commuting in a timely manner or even enrolling in classes can be primary issues. It’s important to adjust to manageable situations that bring stress or anxiety. Not everything is manageable all at once, and finishing one goal at a time is better than worrying about every achievable goal in your future.

By Kyle Cicero