As spring break approaches, many students will be leaving campus to go on vacations, alternative spring breaks to volunteer or perhaps just to take the week to relax at home and spend time with friends. The break is meant to signify the middle of the semester and allow students a hiatus from courses and to catch up on sleep, eat some home-cooked meals and often to catch up on course work.

While it is nice to take time off and get a break from college life, it is important to remember that spring break is meant as a time for rejuvenation. Take the time to do whatever you need for self-care and catch up on work for your classes if that is what helps you relieve stress. Spend time with your pets you do not see often or catch up with friends from your home town. Use the time off for whatever you need. 

The important thing to remember is that, when returning after that, there will still be half of the semester to go. It can be easy to lose focus after a break, especially if you are spending the time off on vacation. The transition back to Oswego and classes can be difficult. The break is meant to allow for a recharge, and students need to be prepared and focused to get back to work when they return to campus.

The idea of an extended break by skipping a couple of classes may sound nice, but it will only hurt students in the end. If you are using spring break to catch up on work, keep that momentum going. Learn from the bad habits and procrastination you may have had for the first half of the semester and strive to do better when we return on March 24. 

It is cliché to say that when we come back it is like a second chance, and that spring is a time of rebirth and new opportunities. Saying that would be the same as saying people stick to their New Year’s resolutions. You do not need a special day or season to change your habits and refocus. However, if you are given the time to re-center, take care of yourself and come back refocused and motivated, use your time wisely and prepare to finish out the semester strong.