I hate to be the bearer of bad news once again, but like everyone reading this already knows, the dream is over. While winter break was a good friend to us all, and we shared some laughs, stayed up late and drank up our holiday punch it’s time for this semester’s annual “welcome back article” to coldly slap you back into reality.

But cheer up young bucks and buckettes (I know, I’m reaching here). This doesn’t have to be worst thing to hit you since the morning after New Year’s Eve.

In fact, there’s plenty to look forward to this semester, and the good people at Meadows are responsible for much of that.

So take a dive off the deep end into SMU’s massive pool of creativity by going out and showing some our your fellow students, who happen to have a lot of talent, some appreciation. Here’s what is coming up this semester.

The Meadows music program will kick things off with an opera theatre production of Mozart’s “Cosi Fan Tutte” running February 8-11 in the Bob Hope Theatre.

A story of two soldiers who accept a wager that their fiancées would never betray them, “Cosi Fan Tutte” explores the individual’s real and passionate feelings as a tale of deception, and romance is weaved around them in the process.

Meadows Symphony Orchestra also has great plans for the semester with gifted students from diverse backgrounds and training spotlight their talent for the community.

Beginning their season with a Student Conductors’ Concert on February 16 and 18, The Meadows Symphony Orchestra will be led by students in the master’s program in conducting at Meadows.

A month later, be among the first to hear up-and-coming orchestral stars as the Meadows Symphony Orchestra puts on the Concerto Concert and features winners of the Meadows School Annual Concerto Competition in keyboard, strings, voice and woodwinds/brass/percussion.

Also in tune with other Meadows music programs, the Meadows Wind Ensemble plans to perform this semester and continue breaking new ground in their performances.

Starting its season off with “Kickin’ It!” on Feb. 23, the concert promises to be an exciting program featuring composer Kevin Hanlon’s “Kickin’ It!,” John Adams’ “Chamber Symphony,” John Mackey’s “Redline Tango,” and Michael Mower’s “Concerto for Saxophone and Wind Orchestra.”

The Meadows Chorale and Concert Choir, including exclusively those majoring in vocal performance, will show off graduates of the program at the Graduate Choral Conducting Recital March 3.

Nathan Frank and Jay Terpstra, candidates for the Master of Music degree in choral conducting, will lead the Meadows Chorale and Concert Choir.

Not to be left out, the theatre department opens its 2007 season with its production of “Spring’s Awakening” running Feb. 21-25.

“Spring’s Awakening,” one of the most censored plays of the early 20th century because of its frank treatment of adolescent sexuality, is considered an important, groundbreaking work.

Directed by Dallas Theater Center’s Richard Hamburger, the story revolves around three 14-year-olds struggling with puberty and receiving repressive, conflicting messages but little guidance from adults, with grim consequences.

After audiences are woken up by Meadows’ opening production, the theatre department will put on Shakespeare’s classic “Hamlet.” One of the best-known, most-performed, most-quoted plays in the English language.

The tragedy tells the tale of Hamlet, prince of Denmark, and his efforts to avenge his father’s murder. Although “Hamlet” is a play of revenge, its greatness lies in the unique and thoughtful nature of the prince, who does not so much as pursue his revenge as he is swept to it through the events of the play.

His preoccupation with the nature and consequences of man’s actions has led critics to call him “the first modern man.” David Denson, M.F.A. candidate in theatre directing, brings the Bard’s work to life.

Even though this is just a small sampling of what Meadows has to offer up this season, these should be reasons enough for you to get out there and take advantage of the fact that SMU has a world-class arts program in Meadows.

After all, it couldn’t hurt to get your feet a little wet, even if it is snowing outside.