I don’t know about you, but after Spring Break, I’m feeling refreshed. As a memo to myself (and perhaps to inspire some changes of your own, dear reader), here’s what I’m planning to do to end my last semester of my sophomore year on the right note.
Routine!
So, spoiler alert, I spent my Spring Break traveling with my partner in Ireland and visiting family there. It was literally heaven, and I still miss the gorgeous scenery, perfect mild weather, and the over-the-top Irish hospitality. Nevertheless, upon returning to my little dorm in Oberlin, the very first thing I wanted to do (besides shower) was Make. My. Bed. If you cannot comprehend the sheer joy of a clean room that is scandalously neat and cozy and scrumptiously ready to mess up again, don’t talk to me. Okay, that might have been a bit harsh, but seriously. Hopefully, this quarter I won’t be as riddled with illness as the last, so I can’t wait to take proper care of my space again. Today was my first day back in classes after the break, and even though I had to wake up early to finish readings before my morning classes, and will be spending the whole day with an obscene amount of other homework and tasks, I took a second to not only make my bed but fold up my favorite cozy hoodie and shorts and place them at the foot of the bed to change into when I get back to my dorm tonight (probably at 11 or so). I left my mug out so I can make a cup of chamomile tea. I will take care of myself, goddamnit! And that’s a true good feeling. Setting up my room for my future self helps me feel like I can power through, because at the end of the day, I’ve prepared a little break that’ll make it all worth it. So make your beds, people.
My Silent Hour
I have a crazy revolutionary idea. Wild. Like…what if I worked in silence? God knows I’m a sucker for group cafe study/gab sessions and reggaeton dance music blasting while I do my Politics readings. But some part of me has to admit that that’s maybe not the most effective. But when you have only one class on some days of the week, and you’re facing down four 40-page dense readings on political theory, I’ve grown used to these simple pleasures to get me through and make it enjoyable. This weekend, though, I found myself in Peters Hall (gorgeous, look it up), entirely alone, in the silence. I didn’t listen to music. I just really paid attention to W.E.B. Du Bois. And, I mean he’s obviously a genius writer and political theorist, but I enjoyed myself so deeply. I paid attention to the reading on a deeper level, I cared about it, I reveled in the tactile feeling of taking notes on a new notebook. So, from here on out, my goal is to do this once a day. I’ll be honest, I can’t survive without social interaction throughout my day. But one silent hour? One hour devoted to peace, to enjoying my work? That I can do. And, plot twist, I’m doing it right now.
Reading, Reading, Optional Reading
Finally, to the surprise of no one, I have a lot of readings. I’m a Politics major, as I mentioned, but I may as well be a reading major. My two politics classes this semester are quite reading-intense, and my schedule unfortunately is not super great for that. I’ve ended up being so overwhelmed by readings for school that my reading for pleasure has kind of gone by the wayside, which is super unusual for me (for the past two years, I’ve read about 40 books for fun per year). But putting pressure on myself to read for pleasure more alone will just be tough--instead, I want to look forward to what I read, and build time in for it. I’ll be trying to do an optional reading a week. Whether a bit of a novel I’m reading, a friend’s essay, or an academic article a professor recommended to me in office hours, I want to make time for what I keep saying I don’t have the time or energy for. I just finished You Dreamed of Empires, by Alvaro Enrigue, and it was the most amazing collision of my interests in gender, literature, and colonial politics. Actually so good, go read it. Anyways, it occurred to me just how much learning happens through reading, and how I don’t want all of it to feel like work. I’d like to take a more hands-on approach to my own education. So, here goes! Next on my list I’m reading Only Dull People Are Brilliant at Breakfast, a fun collection of Oscar Wilde witticisms.
Anyways, best of luck to everyone preparing to finish up the semester or school year! Whether you’re like me, looking for more structure and mindfulness in your day-to-day, or for socializing and adventure, I hope you know it’s not too late to prioritize what you’re looking for.
Carpe Diem!
-Daniela
