For students attending University of Denver, we are in the home stretch of winter quarter. Less than a month is left, and spring break is right around the corner. But with finals and yet another quarter approaching, it can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Or maybe that’s just my senioritis talking.
Either way, Leap Year can offer us the perfect opportunity to check in with ourselves and prepare for the last few weeks of winter quarter. February in and of itself is an awkward time, just between New Years and Spring Break. We may find ourselves getting settled into a monotonous routine or struggling to reach the surface beneath mounds of homework. And whether you’re experiencing seasonal affective disorderÂ
If you have forgotten about your New Year’s Resolutions already, it may be time to break out the notebook and remind yourself of the goals you set earlier this year. Depending on the goals, it could be helpful to take some time off for a mental health day (or hour) and do something on that list. Don’t stress if you haven’t been going to the gym every day or aren’t where you thought you would be. Remind yourself of your goals, not to add more pressure, but to remember what matters most to you.Â
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Throughout the year, we tend to relax and take breaks only when there’s a holiday or a bureaucratic time-out. As someone who is deeply in need a break, let me be the first to tell you to take some time to yourself. You don’t have to keep telling yourself to push through and “make it to spring break.” Even taking an hour to treat yourself to a bath or watch a movie will leave enough time to get everything done. You may even finish your homework or readings faster because you have allowed yourself to relax and reset.Â
In the end, Leap Year provides us an extra day (which happens to fall on Saturday this year) to do anything we need to do. Take this opportunity to listen to your body and give yourself a well-deserved break.Â