Last weekend’s weather, which reached 60 degree highs, lured students outside to enjoy the beginning days of spring. For many students, this meant that barbeques and the beach replaced books and the library.
There is nothing quite like springtime at Fairfield University. Playing catch on the lawn, barbequing on the grills and lying out on the beach just begin the list of possible activities that this new season has brought forth it.
However, now that spring has sprung and summer is just around the corner, motivation to keep up with the actual academic part of college life can prove to be rather difficult.
“Now that it’s nice outside, there are just so many things other than schoolwork to do, especially on the weekends,” said Tom Hathaway ’08.
Cutting classes and procrastinating on assignments are just a few symptoms of spring fever. Schoolwork simply is not in the forefront of many students’ minds anymore.
“I tried to skip class as little as possible in the first half of the semester so that I could skip class now if the weather is nice,” said Carla Pasquale ’06.
The average Fairfield student’s schedule is never one of all work and no play. However now that spring has arrived, here are a few tips to help make sure the work part of the equation is not completely lost:
1. Bring your work outside. This way you can enjoy the weather as you finish off your assignments. If you have a laptop, take advantage of it. This could get a little distracting. And of course, beware of the many games of catch going on. Your excuse that you cannot turn in your paper because a Frisbee gone awry broke your computer will probably not get you much sympathy.
2. Instead of going to the gym to workout, go for a run outside. Put the track on campus to use or take a run into town or along the beach. Not only will you be enjoying the nice weather before it gets too hot, you will be getting back into shape for the upcoming bathing suit season. After this healthy dose of the outdoors, maybe you will be more inclined to set aside some time to get some work done.
3. When you get to class, choose a seat without a scenic view of the outdoors. Staring out the window wishing you were there is not going to help you pass that test. Put your back to the window and try to forget what you are missing.
4. Allot some time either in the morning or later at night to get your work done. Hopefully, you will be less distracted during this time and it will leave those prime afternoon hours free for doing whatever you want.
5. It may be hard, but try not to give in to the temptation of cutting class too much. Do a double-take at your syllabus to remind yourself how much attendance is weighted in calculating your final grade. Even if it is not, professors do realize the drop in attendance, and unfortunately, while summer may be just around the corner, you will need to get through final exams first.
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