Breaks are uniting, calming, and freeing. The chilly winter air swam its way through all of us, bringing us to a peaceful hibernation in bed. Now, we all stand by each other as we return to curate a school semester that will leave us feeling rejuvenated and academically prepared for the school years ahead, or the futures that wait beyond for our current Class of `23.

Returning to an academic environment can feel difficult, but it is important to remember that we are all facing it together. Something you can do to make yourself feel more prepared for the school semester is to declutter your backpack and study environment. Getting rid of clutter from last semesters that you no longer need, as well as keeping a tidy study environment at home, is a vital part of maintaining academic success.

The American College of Healthcare Sciences states that attempting to study in your bed is often unsuccessful, and to have a sacred and dedicated space to study at home will make it much easier for you to get down to it.

Molding your study spaces to fit your needs is essential. Lighting candles of your favorite scents (citrus scents are especially good at boosting productivity, according to TheHealthSite), playing your favorite music (classical or lo-fi is a good study option), or even surrounding yourself with energizing crystals (quartz and citrine!) can put you into the right mindset to get down to work. Let’s all work together to make 2023 our most productive year yet!