Not too long ago, many of us were on Spring Break. We were all either drinking too much, sleeping too much, or Snapchatting too much. Some of us stayed behind to get work done, and enjoyed a less-crowded campus, and a break from classes. And then this terrible thing happened. We left our warm beaches and comfortable beds to return to frigid temperatures, crowded campuses, and the hectic roller coaster that is the Spring semester.
Thanks to Daylight Savings, we had one less hour to cram all our homework for the week into Sunday. After glancing at our syllabi, we were convinced our professors had banded together to put all the deadlines at the same time. Not to mention the deadlines for Co-op, scholarships, and other summer jobs. Of course, we knew this before we mentally checked out. Still, it didn’t seem as real coming from that side of break. And now here we are, trying desperately to cling to that relaxed feeling of vacation as we decide what to work on first. But here’s the thing: you got this.
It’s time to close the book on Spring Break and pull through these last couple months of school. Get reacquainted with your textbooks and syllabi. Oftentimes, people try to share proper time management and organization skills. But really, this isn’t the time for that. At this point, you know what works best for you. Even if that means procrastination. Embrace the routine, or non-routine, you live on and get back into the swing of productivity.
If you’re hoping to ease your way back into things, maybe don’t check back into the tumultuous political climate just yet if you can. Recall how nice it was to have your phone on airplane mode, not blowing up from presidential tweets. So if you’re looking for something to hold out on, better it be the things that don’t always affect us in our little campus bubbles. The real world will still be out there as you’re turning in all your assignments. You have to get ahold of yourself first before you go on to save the world.
For those of you who do need reminders, here: Focus on one class at a time, and one day at a time. Take a deep breath. Pace yourself. Periodically check and update your agendas and calendars. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Give yourself space to mentally check out for short periods of time, whether that be through the entertainment that supposedly rots your brain, or through “productive procrastination,” otherwise known as cleaning up your apartment.
Got senior-itis? Feeling burnout? It’s guaranteed you’re not the only one. Get your buddies together for some emotional support. A group effort is helpful because it allows people to have on and off days. If you have at least three people, it’s more likely that you’ll have someone in a good mood to push you when you’re out of it. Be sure to reciprocate! Of course, there is nothing wrong with a little commiserating, as long as it’s in moderation. Emotional support comes in many forms: food, alcohol, movies, shows, art, and even gifs!
Don’t forget the days are getting longer, and we’re down to our last few cold fronts. Give yourself some credit for making it this far into the year! The main point is that you know what works best for you, so go get it done. Most importantly, remember summer will be here before you know it.
