5 Ways to Improve Your Writing Over Spring Break

With spring break rapidly approaching, that means only one thing: finals are coming. However, we have plenty of time to study and prepare. In the midst of your rest and relaxation, spring break is also a great time to reconnect with your craft and gain new inspiration to head into those finals more prepared than ever!

1. Read!

We read all types of material whether it be press releases or textbooks, and reading is a proven way to improve your writing. Maybe take some time over the break to read for pleasure. Curl up on the beach with a good read and find your new favorite book, not only do you stand to learn something but you might enjoy yourself in the process.

2. Journal

Now it’s time to apply all those skills you’ve learned from reading those books! Journaling is a fun way to write without overthinking it. We are so used to writing in an analytical sense but sometimes allowing our personal thoughts to flow out onto the paper stops brain fog and it might even help generate better ideas for that pesky paper that's probably due the day after break!

3. Take inspiration walks

Sometimes when I’m in a rut, I use my surroundings to provide inspiration. Taking walks for fresh air was encouraged during the past two years, because it was the only way for anyone to be outside and connect with the world during the pandemic. Something as simple as taking a 15 minute walk around your neighborhood can get the creative juices flowing if you pay enough attention to the people and things surrounding you. You might even find something you’ve never seen before.

4. Utilizing voice memos

There might be a moment where inspiration strikes but alas, there is no paper around. Well never fear! Most smartphones come with a voice memo feature and it’s great for jotting down notes on the fly. If you can’t speak it, write it down in your notes. Your notes app should be your second in command. It is always handy in case your environment is too noisy or you want to keep it personal.

5. Don’t Write

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received was to destroy the idea that you have to constantly work in order to be successful. That learning to embrace the concept of rest and relaxation are integral parts of your lifelong progress to happiness. You don’t bring work on vacation, so remember to enjoy your time off!

This blog was written by Erica Flores, General Body Member.

Managing Stress During the School Year

College students everywhere are starting to feel the weight of midterm season. The last minute assignments, back to back papers and tests, important presentations – all on top of other commitments like clubs, organizations, and some sort of social life. However, this time feels different. Classrooms are now full of people (with masks) again, and campus is as lively as ever. It’s exciting to see, but most students are still getting back into the swing of things after being on Zoom for almost four semesters; which is only adding to the arduous navigation of midterms. I don’t know about you, but I am exhausted. Physically and mentally, my battery is running low. Trying to push through and getting it all done can only make things worse sometimes. Here are some tips on how to manage your stress during this crazy, jam-packed time in the middle of the semester.

Stay organized.

This is something I’ve been working on as of late. Being organized is the key to staying on top of your school work. I’ve found that writing out my commitments and what is due in the next day, week, or month on paper has helped me see the bigger picture. It helps in planning your week around the countless assignments, papers, and presentations, so that you’re able to see what spare time you have for more enjoyable activities. In addition to this, clutter is a huge stressor. Carve out time for yourself to clean up your workspace, and make it a more relaxing place to be. Keep your desk clean, light a candle or two, and find a comfy chair with a pillow. Guaranteed, these two organizational tactics will help your stress during midterms and increase productivity.

Exercise.

Sitting in a chair hunched over your computer all day is less than ideal; so move your body! Exercise is one of the healthiest outlets for stress. It allows you to take a step away from your work, which will make you more effective and clear your mind. There is definitely some science behind this too, but I won’t bore you with the specifics. Some people have their daily gym run down to a science; but realistically, not everyone has a set workout time and routine for themselves everyday. Some other ways you can get your body moving are yoga, walking to and from campus or around your neighborhood, walking or running on the treadmill, or even simply stretching for ten to twenty minutes. These activities are all very accessible for college students, all we have to do is make the time to live a healthier lifestyle for both our mental and physical body.

Time management.

This skill is tough to master, but is definitely worth the effort. Managing your time is essential in living a balanced lifestyle; where both work and play are valid. An easy way to manage your time with schoolwork is doing it incrementally throughout the week, and only during the daylight. Once nighttime hits, you are free to do whatever you need to blow off steam. Whether that’s vegging out in front of the TV, hanging out with friends, cooking yourself a nice meal, or playing a card game. This is something that has been working well for me, but every person is different. Time management will help you to set aside a few hours and wind down, without thinking about schoolwork.

Sleep is good for the soul.

Something that is often overlooked in times of stress is sleeping; even though it is essential to us as human beings! We all need sleep in order to function properly and to the best of our ability, otherwise everything crashes down quickly. Give yourself the permission to get a good amount of sleep per night, and try not to stay on Tik Tok for too long (I know, this is tempting).

Everyone is different, and everyone’s bodies need different things to thrive. All of these tools often get put on the back burner when we’re stressed, but it’s important to learn what boundaries you need to make in order to be happy and healthy. The brightside is, midterm season only lasts about a week or two; then we’re back to our regularly scheduled programming. You’ve survived it before, and you will once again. You got this!

This blog was written by Olivia Mianulli, Conference Coordinator.

Prioritizing Yourself in College

One of the most important things I have learned in college is finding a balance between school work, my job and taking care of myself, which includes being social. It doesn’t matter how hard you work, if you don’t take care of yourself none of the information you’re learning will sink in, especially if you're losing sleep. Unfortunately, it is not easy to take care of yourself sometimes, especially when things pile up. It's easy to get lost in your to-do list, but taking the time to fully recover and unplug will make you more productive in the long run. However, There are small ways to reconnect yourself and recharge that don't take hours.

The easiest way to take a break and occupy your brain is to read. I know what you’re thinking, after staring at a computer screen trying to read all of your online textbooks, the last thing you want to do is process another word. I suggest scaling back your reading level, and picking up books that are at young adult reading level in topics you're interested in. Even reading a series like Harry Potter will be mindless.

Small crafts are another way to rejuvenate and spend time with yourself. Hobbies such as painting, woodworking and sculpting have become popular over the pandemic, and they are activities that are on a smaller scale. Small camp crafts such as weaving lanyards, making friendship bracelets and playing with clay is a good way to let go of working and focus on creating something.

Lastly, going outside and exploring nature through plants or walks are a simple way to help take care of your mind and soul. I am a huge fan of going on walks but when it's cold it's hard to get motivated to even go outside. There are different ways to enjoy nature when it is cold out, like taking care of a house plant or doing flower pressings. Even stretching and moving your body can help you find moments of peace within yourself throughout the semester. It is important to prioritize yourself and be a little selfish sometimes, because it will help benefit you in every aspect of your life.

This blog post was written by Fiona Hitesman, Assistant Conference Coordinator.