Spring break is over. The next big break? Summer vacation. Yup, that’s right—we’re in the final stretch now. With spring now in full swing, the flowers are blooming, the days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer, and your work ethic is likely dwindling. Unfortunately, finals matter just as much in May as they do in December. Those midterms count for the same amount of points, even though the temperature outside is seventy-four degrees. Of course, the mere fact that school is just as important now as it is at the beginning of the semester doesn’t make it any easier to buckle down and get your work done. Fortunately for you, there are a few things you can do to stay motivated until finals end on May 5.
First off, if you find Perkins unbearable when the weather is pristine, then stop torturing yourself and get outside. Studies have shown that a person’s attention and focus can dwindle after just twenty minutes of hard work. If you’ve had your head in a book for over a few hours, there’s no doubt that you need a break to regain that focus. Get outside, and take a walk. Even a ten-minute walk around the main quad will be enough to replenish your concentration and give you that fresh air fix that you’re craving.
If a fifteen-minute walk isn’t enough to satisfy your need to soak in the gorgeous spring weather, then try working outside. The campus has a number of spots to work outside that are perfect if you can’t bear to observe the warm weather from the library. The BC plaza has a plethora of outdoor seating options, and all of them come with wifi. If you’re partial to the swingy benches (which, let’s be realistic, are nearly impossible to snag on BC plaza), try out McClendon walkway or the brand new patio outside of the K4 atrium. Both of these locations are equipped with numerous swingy benches, wifi, outlets to charge your laptops, and are markedly less crowded than the plaza. So, your chances of comfortably enjoying the weather while getting work done are much greater.
If you still find it difficult to get to class in the spring, the only thing you really can do is work toward smaller goals. Thinking about all the assignments you have between now and the end of the semester can be daunting. However, take it one assignment at a time. Once you finish one big assignment, indulge in the warm weather before getting back to work again. That way, you’ll finish what you need to while still getting that spring air fix.
Photo source: http://www.hr.duke.edu/dukegardens/images/DukeGardens-cherries-AL-web-contact.jpg