They weren’t kidding when they said, “time flies.” Winter break has come and gone, just like your attempt to make steakhouse reservations. Now, while you try to get back into the groove of classes, schoolwork and actually doing something with your life (let’s get real, you were not productive over break…) you face the struggles of spring.
We are undoubtedly privileged to go to such a beautiful school in North Carolina, but our privilege grows as the season changes from winter to spring; we have a gorgeous campus, endless hammocks, three outdoor pools, and balconies galore to soak up the sun. It’s not uncommon for the temperature to hit 70 in February, and we’re lucky enough to have it hit 65 in January this year, too.
While all of these things are wonderful, our motivation tends to dwindle as the sun comes out and the pool opens up, and we’re stuck with a careless attitude for the rest of the semester. The devil on your shoulder appears, telling you to skip class and go to the pool, and to sleep in on Thursday after a late night at After Hours. Second semester quickly becomes a struggle for any student who loves the sun and a good time.
Why does this happen to us? Why do we work so hard in the fall, only to settle for mediocrity in the spring? It’s a question we often ask ourselves, with no definite answer. Maybe you had a scholarship on the line in the fall, and you boosted your GPA enough not to worry about it for the rest of the year, or maybe, you’re a second semester senior taking freshman-level courses just to fill your requirement to be a full-time student. Whatever the case, it’s important to stay focused on your academics and to keep a positive attitude to finish out the year.
So, what can you do to make sure you maintain a healthy balance of spring shenanigans and schoolwork?
- Remind yourself that there’s a fine line between skipping class and straight-up ditching class: While we’re not fortunate enough to have no attendance policy like some large schools, there are a few freebie absences given out (they should be used strictly for sick time, but when does that ever happen?) Remember that most professors only offer you two or three skips before you receive an academic absence probation email, so use these absences wisely.
- Don’t give into peer pressure: Sure, your roommate might be lucky enough to have no classes on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, but just because her schedule worked out conveniently, it doesn’t mean it applies to you too. If she’s begging you to go to the pool, remember your priorities. You aren’t paying $40,000 a year just to skip class.
- There’s work time, and there’s play time: If you’ve been slaving over your microbiology homework for four hours with only two Facebook breaks and no dinner, you should probably stop immediately before you fry your brain. There’s only so much you can handle, and you need to breathe. Skipping meals to do work is never a good idea, and a 30 minute trip to Feeney’s isn’t going to kill your study flow.
- Work out: You can be productive in more ways than one! If you really don’t feel like sitting down and focusing on your lab assignment at that very moment, head to the gym for an hour. Run off your negative energy and kill some time. By the time you get back, you’ll have released enough endorphins to hit a “runner’s high,” and you’ll have a positive attitude to take on the next challenge: your homework!
There’s nothing wrong with being lazy, as long as you’re only lazy sometimes. You’re fortunate enough to go to High Point, so reward yourself with a high GPA and fun in the sun.