Madison Long
Life Editor
April 27. Start of dead week. Prepare to have no extra assignments and no energy.
May 1. Last Bengal issue of the semester. The perfect homework break and light read.
May 4. Finals week, not your final week. For the graduates – kiss school goodbye!
Once students roll in with fresh spring break tans and a small taste for the summer season, they can’t help but feel entirely unmotivated to keep pushing. The “spring slump” affects professors and students alike as they transition from winter hibernation to high-speed homework time.
However, to bloom out of the spring slump (and keep your grades up), it’s time to take a break and switch it up.
“I stay motivated, clinging to the fact that I am the only person responsible for my education. I cannot blame missed assignments or bad grades on anyone other than myself,” says Caleb Park, a sophomore studying criminology. “This spring, I have found myself spending more time with my family, where they help me to relax and be myself. I have spent a lot of time playing pickleball, so I can become a pro if school does not work out.”
If the weather misbehaves, check out some popular study spots close to campus. Eli M. Oboler library has several spots – if you’re in the mood for vibe inspiration and a cozy drink, chill out in the Starbucks. If you’re already two energy drinks in and four assignments behind, wander up to the third floor for a completely silent study session. You can also wander just past Frazier Hall to Soda Barn, where studious students snack on soda and sugar cookies.
Slightly outside of the campus circle, experiment with coffee shops and Instagram-worthy locations. Gate City Coffee (320 W Center St), Mocha Madness (546 S 5th Ave), Panera (4031 Pole Line Rd) and The College Market (604 S 8th Ave) have sweet treats, savory snacks and comfier furniture than the computer labs!
But, on the rare occasion that Mother Nature lets up the wind and rain, the Quad grass can bring everything to the table for some students.
“I usually study in the Quad and take lots of breaks to go on hikes or runs,” says Aubrey Scheffler, a junior studying marketing. “It helps me to stay focused when I am working on schoolwork and also gives me a little break every day.”
Staying motivated requires effort.
Keeping a clean, organized workspace – even treating yourself with those vibrant highlighters for biology notes – will help push you to the finish line. Set small, rewarding goals for yourself that come with an hour or two of dedicated relaxation.
Oxford Learning says that meditation can improve memory, decrease cortisol levels to manage stress better, increase attention span and help manage mental illness that might impair your schoolwork further.
Reed Gym Recreation and Wellness offers various events throughout dead week and finals, although with just your ISU ID, you can swim, run, enjoy the courts or weight-lift to find an outlet for stress. The ISU Counseling and Mental Health also offers services to improve mental wellness (https://www.isu.edu/counselingcenter/education-and-resources/general-resources/general-resources/).
“I stay motivated by making sure I allow myself time to do the activities that I enjoy, like fishing, and basketball,” says sports management major Dylan Day. “It helps clear my mind and get me ready for my work.”
