Hear that sound? It's the grumbling of 9,000 well-fed and well-rested students dragging themselves back to class for another round of grueling coursework.
Christmas lights have come down, and that first-week-back-in-school euphoria is starting to fade. It's time to get serious.
It's two weeks into the semester, and the class sizes are already noticeably smaller than they were on Jan 9. Everyone here knows that college is hard, especially when you're juggling it with a family, a job, a social life, extracurricular activities, and still managing to get enough sleep (or not). Add to that balancing act the millions of distractions competing for your attention, and campus life can quickly become a circus. However, many are fighting the good fight and sticking it out. Many remember why they are here.
"You've got to keep your eye on the prize," said Tiffany Williams, a sophomore psychology major from Pleasant Grove.
She recommended keeping a full schedule that is focused on a specific goal. Williams said she's working towards a stint at BYU where she will study behavioral science.
"I find the busier I am, the less time I have for distractions," Williams said.
Students all over campus echoed Williams throughout the week, saying what keeps them motivated is knowing what they want.
"I'm focusing on graduating right now," said Marshall Josey, a senior integrated studies major from St. George. "I've learned that if you want something, you have to pursue it with vigor and passion because no one's going to hand it to you."
For Williams and Josey, finishing the year is the light at the end of the tunnel, but for Kevin Steck, a junior accounting major from St. George, the payoff is more immediate. He said the sense of accomplishment is a huge motivating factor, but what he really looks forward to are the open hours after a study session.
"I like being able to hang out with my friends, play ball, and just relax." Steck said the reward of free time is worth the hard work.
DSC's athletes are well versed in this kind of reward-driven motivation.
"These kids are here because they love to play, and they want to keep playing," said NCAA Academic Adviser Brett Adams. "When their grades are slipping, there's no point in sugar-coating it. Either pass your classes, or you can't play and you can't practice."
Adams, who is a communications alumnus of Dixie State, has been on both sides of the desk, first as an athlete and now as the guy who keeps the athletes focused when they have to slog through required classes.
"When they first come in and they're gung-ho about school, I tell them to throw in something fun," Adams said. "Whether it be yoga or bread making or ceramics or photography, find a creative outlet. Otherwise, they get burned out too quickly."
Striking that delicate balance between enjoying one's self and actually getting things done can be tricky, but Michael Harding, associate professor of theater, said asking questions you are interested in keeps everything in motion.
"When you ask a question and it gets answered, that's where the learning stops," Harding said. "The best questions are those that raise more questions."
And if you're not sure what questions to ask don't worry because you're not alone.
Katie Fischer, a freshman general education major from Sandy, shared her doubts on where she's headed.
"I took some EMT classes in high school, so I'm starting with medicine and seeing where it takes me," she said.
She said she's been dabbling in sports medicine and is enjoying herself.
"I'm not sure yet what I'll ultimately go into," Fischer said. "All I know is, it's worth it."
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