Condors, it’s time to face the music: winter break is officially coming to an end, which means Semester Two is knocking on our doors. The start of a new semester is supposed to feel like a reset, but for many, it feels more like pressing play where you left off. For others, it’s a chance to redeem themselves and do better than last semester. That’s where this poll comes in: “What is your mindset going into Semester Two?”
When asked about their mindset, Condors’ responses reflected just how differently everyone is returning from break. While some students are entering the semester feeling focused and motivated, others are choosing to coast, survive, or take a step back and rethink what this next chapter looks like for them. To better understand what these mindsets look like beyond a poll option, several students shared their perspectives.
A majority of students (52%) selected “Locked In.” Junior Aliyah Ayala is going into the second semester driven by both motivation and realism. “To me, locking in means blocking out distractions and focusing on achieving your goal,” she shared. While procrastination is something many students struggle with, the poll results suggest that a large number are still ready to follow through and face academic pressure with confidence.
A contrasting mindset is “Coast and see what happens,” a lower-pressure approach where stakes matter more than constant effort. For students with this mindset, locking in happens when it truly counts, and stress often comes from balance rather than grades alone. Sophomore James Velez shared that school rarely feels urgent enough to require intense effort unless the stakes are high. With a history of strong academic performance, coasting is how he typically approaches school, while time management and extracurricular commitments are his main sources of stress.
For many students, the first semester was mentally draining, even if it included positive moments. Senior Alex Gutierrez described his first semester as exhausting, especially with the added pressure of preparing for life after high school. For students like Alex, the goal isn’t perfection but peace. “Surviving” means working hard where possible without becoming overwhelmed — getting through the semester with intention.
The smallest percentage of the poll selected “Rethinking Everything.” Freshman Ivy Felix shared that she’s reconsidering how she structured her semester after realizing she may have taken on too many responsibilities. Balancing productivity with a social life can be challenging, but for students like Ivy, rethinking everything isn’t about starting over — it’s about adjusting and actively working toward solutions.
There’s no universal way to enter a new semester. From motivation to uncertainty, the poll results reflect a wide range of starting points. Moving forward doesn’t always mean pushing harder; sometimes it means adjusting. Wherever students are starting this semester, it’s still something they’re allowed to grow into.
