By Sarah Walsh

Welcome back to UMass! I hope that everyone had a restful and fun spring break. I spent my week off at home with my family and dog and caught up on some much-needed sleep and quality time. 

It’s also finally Spring, which means the weather is getting nicer, the walk through the DuBois wind tunnel is getting more bearable and our classwork is picking up as final projects and papers begin to loom. For some, the sun coming out and setting later can bring more motivation, but for many, it can be just the opposite, as the thick of the semester school work picks up. Staying motivated as the flowers bloom is important for keeping up with your school work and being the healthiest you can be. Our peer advising tips for staying motivated this Spring are: 

1. Set time aside for fun: All too often, we hear, “I don’t have time to enjoy X, Y, Z.” Whether that be spending time with your friends or doing something you enjoy, too often college kids use that excuse. College is about academics, but setting aside time for activities you enjoy is just as important and prevents you from burning out too quickly. 
2. Plan accordingly! Check those syllabi: The last thing that you want as we near the end of the semester is to get caught off guard with a big project or test written in the syllabus that you’ve forgotten about. That kind of stress is a sure-fire way to kill all motivation. Check your syllabi, write down important dates and plan ahead! 
3. Check-in with professors and TAs: Along with checking your syllabi, it always pays to meet with your professors and TAs during their office hours. Touching base on assignments, dates and concepts will have you feeling more prepared and supported. 
4. Set aside time for mental and physical health: Whether that’s exercise, meditation, or calling loved ones, you need to prioritize your wellbeing. Nothing leads to faster burnout than a student who is only doing work all the time. 
5. Get outside: There’s nothing like a warm Spring day in Amherst. Do your work outside, change your environment, go for a walk. Getting some Vitamin D after a long and cold New England winter will keep you happy and motivated till May! 

Don’t be too hard on yourself if a lack of motivation finds you this Spring. Take care of yourself first, and the rest will follow. If you are feeling burnt-out, come to the peer advising office for drop-in hours, and we will work together to help you find a solution!