As Buffalo awakens from its deep hibernation, students are slipping on their shorts and flip flops in hopes of warmer temperatures and brighter days.
While the flurries of the fall semester make getting out of bed a chore, the temptation of the springtime sun continues to break the concentration of the most diligent students.
"The spring semester is more challenging for me because it is the culmination of the whole year," said Kathryn Kornacki, a student in the Graduate School of Education. "It's a little more difficult to stay focused with summer coming; I definitely have to resist the call of the springtime weather."
Students agree that keeping their educational priorities in place is always the most difficult during the second half of the academic year.
"The spring semester is harder," said Katie Weston, a sophomore psychology major. "Summer vacation is closer and there is so much more to do in the summer and I start thinking of fun things to do rather than focusing on school work."
Amy Steele, a senior informatics major, is struggling with last-minute classes and finds it hard to buckle down with only a few weeks left in the semester.
"The spring semester is definitely more difficult particularly because I have senioritis," Steele said. "I am excited to move on to the next chapter [in my life] and be done with this one."
Struggling to maintain their GPA, many students, especially seniors, struggle to find ways to stay motivated as commencement approaches.
"What I've been doing is week to week, just being sure I have everything done," Steele said.
Even in the spring semester, the good comes with the bad and students look for ways to complement long nights of studying and homework with stress relievers. Jennifer Sylka, a sophomore computer science major, rewards herself by means of weekend time with her friends after she completes a big project.
"I start to go out more because the weather is nicer," Sylka said. "I find myself doing a lot more things that are not school related."
Kornacki makes taking an occasional break and rejuvenates her body and brain: an important part of her day.
"I definitely set aside 'me time', even if it's only for half an hour a day," Kornacki said.
When the time comes for studying, the majority of students opt for dark cubicles and corners of the library or the silence of their apartment. The intoxicating spring breeze is too much to handle for those who are trying to cram for finals.
"I lock myself away in my apartment," Steel said. "It's dead silent and I can block out the outside world."
According to Weston, attempts to mix sun and studying never end successfully. On campus, students buckle down indoors by spending afternoons and evenings in the library.
"I try to do outdoor studying, but it's never very productive. I get distracted and find myself daydreaming," Weston said. "The basement of Lockwood is the best place [to study]; it's like a dungeon down there."
For Sylka, the library is the perfect place for late semester studying because the temptation outdoors is overpowering.
"I need a more structured, indoor setting to get my work done," Kornacki said. "I know if I manage my time well I can get outside to enjoy the sun."
Sometimes just knowing that it's almost over makes all the hard work worthwhile, but students don't want to jeopardize the entire semester in the final few weeks.
"I've worked this whole semester, so I might as well keep going," Weston said. "I don't want all my work to go to waste."
Whether students are snow or sun lovers, every semester comes to an end. Pick your spot, study hard and don't forget to reward yourself when it's over.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
