Welcome to the second half of Spring Term. Projects are ramping up, midterms have just finished, but finals are looming closer and the weather is warming, making staying inside and studying on beautiful days a frustrating norm. Amidst all this, summer is tangible but still too far away, and it can be difficult to maintain a positive outlook. As we near the final stretches of Spring Term, we as the Lawrentian’s Editorial Board would like to share some of our best ideas for staying positive and maintaining motivation through the end of the school year.
Variety section editor Claire Zimmerman likes to stay positive by keeping a list of quick and not-so-quick nice things to do for herself by her bed. She doesn’t end the day without doing at least one. On tougher days, she likes to take the time to do multiple nice things, like drink a cup of tea or go for a walk. Doing this helps to make you feel like you deserve kindness, even when stress and high expectations might make you think otherwise.
Arts and Entertainment editor Georgia Greenberg relies on reading to relax, and usually turns to young adult fiction for comfort. She likes to read because it feels more “productive” than other mind-consuming hobbies like watching TV or scrolling through social media. It is not, necessarily, but it comes with less of a guilty feeling. Her most revisited books include “Bloomability” by Sharon Creech, “Love, Ruby Lavender” by Deborah Wiles, “Eleanor and Park” by Rainbow Rowell and “When You Reach Me” by Rebecca Stead. Lately, however, she has been on a Louis Sachar kick, catching up on a few of his books that she missed when she was a kid.
Copy Chief Dannielle Konz makes sure to set a mandatory deadline on homework for the day. She decides on a time of the day to call it quits on schoolwork, ensuring that she has time to do things that make her happy such as reading, hanging out with friends, watching TV or just going to bed. By setting this mandatory quitting time, she keeps herself from getting too overwhelmed by work on a regular basis. This ensures that by the end of the night, when she is exhausted and no longer doing her best work, she can guiltlessly stop working and focus on herself instead of her homework.
Features editor Genevieve Cook uses her planner in order to keep tasks from getting too overwhelming or stressful. By organising her day, planning time for breaks and mixing easier tasks in with the tougher ones, the work doesn’t all pile on at once. By writing everything down, it also leaves more space in your mind to avoid rumination, and just know that everything will come together. Plus, it is incredibly satisfying to cross something off a list, even if it is something as simple as getting lunch or doing dishes.
Editor-in-Chief Andrew Brown likes to remind himself that nobody is perfect and that nobody expects him to be. He thinks that students often forget to take pride in what they have accomplished, because their achievements are often clouded with sleepless nights or stressful studying. He recommends seeking comfort and aid from your loved ones and getting some space to care for yourself.
Drink some coffee. Take a shower. Play a game. Take a walk. Breathe. You got this!