By Natalie Soldatova
Spring is finally here! Can you believe it? I feel like we just recently celebrated the New Year. Days are getting longer again and spring also means warmer weather. Even though we live in Florida where the weather is mostly sunny all year around, we also did get some sudden cold days just recently. This is a great time to start fresh. Maybe you have been putting off something you’ve always wanted to try for a long time or start new habits.
Spring is my favorite season. With daylight saving time and getting closer to the end of the semester, it always makes me feel more motivated. For some people it’s the time for restart, spring cleaning or setting new goals. With only five weeks of the semester left, spring can also make us feel stressed because of all the coursework, exams and projects that we still have to finish on time.
To start this season right, you should ask yourself first what would you like to change, improve or pay more attention to. What is the most important thing for your well-being?
It is easy to get overwhelmed towards the end of the semester. One thing you can do is to take a look at your planner or schedule, and refresh your routine. When it comes to physical well-being, you can try that fitness class you always wanted to, do a few minutes of yoga or simply take yourself out for a walk. Whatever will make your body move will help you get more endorphins and clear your mind.
Do you feel like you have been too hard on yourself lately? I know sometimes we might feel like we have to stay up late at night studying or we keep all of our homework until the very last minute. This will only make us feel more stressed, but I also struggle with this sometimes. Spreading out your study time and when you work on your assignments will give you more quality time to do the things you enjoy and also get those good hours of sleep.
Clean and reorganize your room or apartment. This will give you that feeling of a fresh start for the spring season. It will also help you be more productive and feel better mentally. You can also do a digital cleanse and get rid of old screenshots from textbooks you used for studying or anything that you won’t need anymore.
After you have reset both your living space and devices, try to step out of your comfort zone. Attempt to join a new club that interests you or learn a new language. Throughout this experience of finding what fascinates you, you might find a new hobby along the way.
Most importantly you should also remember to be kind to yourself. Spring is a great time to have more “me time” and focus on what’s important to you. Try to balance school and your personal life as well. Don’t beat yourself up for something that didn’t go as you planned or mistakes you’ve made in the past. Surround yourself with people that bring the best out of you and make you feel at ease. Part of the new season is to also remove all negativity that has been holding you back or made you doubt yourself. Remember all the positive things and what you have already accomplished this semester and be proud of yourself. Keep going, you’ve got this!