As Truman students and professors prepare for another spring semester, they must navigate the challenges that come with colder weather and shorter daylight hours.
Freshman Sophie Harrington, said Kirksville’s prolonged winter weather has impacted her mood and work ethic.
“Well, the darkness just makes me so sad, and I never want to work when I’m sad, so I just procrastinate,” Harrington said.
One of her solutions has been to work around her friends in her dorm. “In the summer, I could hold myself accountable and work alone, but then I ended up needing people in the winter. It just made me so much happier to laugh with them while I work.
Junior, Henry Gillendardo has had the exact opposite experience. Gillenardo said the winter is actually one of his favorite months. He said it helps that he has to wake up at 8:30 a.m. for Agriculture 100 in the morning. Though he does detest the shorter daylight hours, he feels a good schedule can make the transition less agonizing for students specifically.
“When I get a smaller assignment in class, I try to go home and do it right away. And if you procrastinate until the day something is due, just make sure you start working at the beginning of the day at least,” Gillenardo said.
Professor of Psychology, Dr. Yuna Ferguson thinks students come back from break needing some extra motivation after a tiring first semester. Other than that, she finds that her students are quite engaged at the start of the semester. Ferguson said, “I think it’s the excitement that comes with the start of every semester.”
As the excitement of a new semester fades, Ferguson has some recommendations to keep Bulldogs at their best during the spring semester.
“Everyone should be eating a good breakfast before they start their day. Keeping up with personal hygiene helps a lot too. Mostly just keeping up personal health like relationships with others can be really helpful,” Ferguson said.
Lastly, she emphasized the importance of not isolating oneself during these darker days. Calling a friend or family member can be a way to ensure emotional needs are being met.