Thoughts from A. Bogdanow, Peer Advisor, excerpted from Peer Advisor Blog
If you’re like me, you’ve spent the past week reading, studying, writing papers, taking tests — what I like to call “midterming.” It’s been rough – at this point, I’m sleepy, running on caffeine and carbs, and constantly checking my to-do list. Throughout it all, though, I’ve had one thought in my mind to keep myself moving: this Sunday morning, I”ll wake up on a Caribbean island for a week of relaxing on the beach with friends. Pretty nice, huh? My to-do list for THAT week involves sleeping, reading for fun (what? crazy!), and applying lots and lots of sunscreen.
But then there’s this other thought in the back of my mind. What about, you know, school? We may have a two week spring break, but that doesn’t mean we can forget about classes. So, whether you’re going home, staying at school, or traveling, here are some trips to being productive while still having fun over break:
- Before you leave campus — take a look at all of your syllabi and make a calendar of everything you have due
(yup, including reading) for the six weeks following break. Do you have semester-long research projects? Tests? Lots of reading? Looking at this calendar, make a specific list of everything you need/want to get done over break. Break it down to be as detailed as you can – if you have research you need to do, make a list of topics. If you have tests when you get back, figure out what chapters they’ll be on. Then, be attentive and PACK according to this spring break to-do list. You don’t want to get home and realize you forgot your reading or notebook for a class. - While you’re away — as soon as you get home, make a plan. You’ll still be in classes-mode this weekend, so utilize all those study skills and make a two-week calendar for what you need to do and when you’ll do it. If you leave everything until the last minute, the weekend we get back to school will not be fun. Tell your parents/friends that you have work to do and see if there’s a way your schedule can fit with theirs. Any friends who are also home from college will have work too, so maybe figure out a time to sit at your local library/coffee shop and do work together (hey, it’s no Pi or Olin, but it’ll do). Remember that you’re definitely not supposed to be working all day, every day, but if you put in an hour or two every day of break, whatever work you have really won’t be too bad.
- Don’t forget to relax in ways that don’t include just looking at a computer or TV – we spend more than enough time ruining our eyes during all those late nights in the library. If you’re lucky, you’ll be somewhere that the weather is nice. Spend some time outdoors, reconnect with old friends, read a book for fun, exercise – do everything you might not have time to do during the regular semester. Connect with your old support network, whether that means seeing old friends, talking with teachers from high school, or visiting a club/group/organization you used to be involved with.
Have a great break!
Unplug electrical outlets
Friday, March 5 is the last day to withdraw from third-quarter classes, like PHED. The last day to withdraw from full semester and fourth-quarter classes is Thursday, April 15. Check in with your instructors and TAs, and plan accordingly.
beach. But wait – what about all that work due when you come back? Managing your time over spring break will help you to feel control for the whole month of April and not slip too far behind. This workshop will help you begin to organize your break and prioritize your academic and co-curricular activities so that you can finish the semester stress-free. Bring your 2009-2010 Wes Planner and your syllabi. Hosted by the SARN Peer Advisors.
Spend some time either physically or virtually at the Career Resource Center now or during break to see what opportunities are of interest to you. There is an internship database on line and in print and some of these offer a stipend, so check it out. It’s a good way to explore possible career options and gain some skills.