School is always busy, but it has a way of crescendoing at the end. The final weeks before summer are a bombardment of events and assignments. At the end we tend to lose our steam. Initiative strikes out, and procrastination hits a home run. Indifference moves in, and determination moves out. Tiredness checks in, and rest leaves for an extended vacation.

We all need the refreshment of inspiration to remind us why we work hard. Take a deep breath, and dare to be inspired.

1. “Don’t trade what you want most for what you want at the moment.”

I don’t know who came up with this quote, but whoever said it first clearly had their life together. Sometimes the moment seems like everything. But remember when high school was your everything until you came to college and you realized the world was a bigger place? Remember the bigger picture painted around each decision.

2. “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

What things are weighing you down? Procrastination? Worry? Stress? It happens. Learn to let go so that the running becomes easier. You are being perfected.

3. “Sometimes that mountain you’ve been climbing is just a grain of sand.” (Carrie Underwood, "So Small")

Perspective is a helpful thing. When you are caught up in doing so many little things, think about what matters most, and take care of that first.

4. "When you feel out of sorts, try to make someone else happy, and you will soon be so yourself." (Louisa May Alcott, "An Old-Fashioned Girl")

When life gets busy, I tend to be very inward focused, as I am trying to remember all the things I need to do! Whenever you feel overwhelmingly busy, or as if you want to get away from the world, remember that other people feel that way too. I have found that even when I am extraordinarily busy, if I stop and take time to think about someone else, I don’t feel like I have wasted any time.

5. “There we both sat and rested for a while, facing the rising sun the way we’d climbed, for looking back can sometimes help you on.” (Dante, "Purgatory")

These lines refer to the journey of souls up the mountain of purgatory, heading toward paradise. Climbing is hard work, so a look behind shows you how much you have accomplished. Be proud of your hard work, and use that as fuel for your end goal.

6. “Too blessed to be stressed.”

Sometimes being busy is a high class problem to have. Perhaps you like all of the things you are doing, perhaps you don’t. But your time is a sought after commodity, and that is something to be grateful for.

7. “Guide the beginning of my work, direct it’s progress, and bring it to successful completion.” (Thomas Aquinas, "A Student’s Prayer")

Enthusiasm tends to decrease over time, and we become distracted by so many things from our tasks. In this beautiful prayer to the Holy Spirit, Aquinas reminds us (and himself) that we have never been on the journey alone.

8. “Everybody has problems. Everybody has bad times. Do we sacrifice all of the good times because of them?” (Giselle, "Enchanted")

Don’t make yourself miserable when you could be enjoying the fullness of life. Enjoy all the opportunities you have to love and learn. Embrace busyness with a mind to conquer!

9. “Your degree is just the door, your work ethic is the key, but it is only by the grace and strength of God that you can walk through that door and help whoever may be on the other side.” (Stefan Vandenkooy, Finals Week)

School is all we have ever known, but it is just the beginning. Until you find your career, you can embrace strength, grace and your work ethic today.

10. “Today me will live in the moment, unless it’s unpleasant, in which case me will eat a cookie.” (Cookie Monster)

This is a reminder that when life gets you down, there is always cheer to be found, especially if cheer means food.

Keep up the good work!