For students, the start of a semester brings both excitement and nerves. ETSU offers an abundance of resources for students navigating new classes and experiences. I’d like to suggest another resource: poetry. As exams and papers pile up or you feel stressed over the due dates taking over your calendar, take a few minutes and read some poetry.
As outlined by “Greater Good Magazine”, poetry fosters empathy and healthier relationships. Additionally, reading poetry has been linked to improvements in mental and physical health. What better way to address that start-of-semester stress?
Poetry comes in all sorts of forms, themes and topics and is more accessible than many people think. Even if you think poetry may not be “your thing,” consider trying out some new poetry that you’ve never read before. You’ll be amazed at the variety you can find and the joy that comes from finding poetry you love. The Sherrod Library has plenty of volumes to choose from, as well as cozy spots to read for a while. Librarians can help you find poets you’ll love.
Poetry meets you where you are, so pick up a book or simply find poems online this week. Allow yourself to explore and find poems that you love. Amid stress and nerves, poetry grounds and alleviates worry. Below are a few cozy poems for your January. Here’s to a great first week of classes and a semester of poetry!
Poems for January:
“January” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“Promise” by Jackie Kay
“A January Dandelion” by George Marion McClellan
“Spellbound” by Emily Brontë
“New Year” by Carol Ann Duffy
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_poetry_changes_you_and_your_brain
