Break is officially over, and whether you have some pretty new tan lines or you haven’t gotten out of bed since last Thursday, there’s no questioning it– Spring has sprung.
And I. Love. Spring. It’s full of holidays (my birthday *hairflip*), bright colors, nice weather, and cute outfits.
So come on Collegiettes, shake off those winter blues!
One way I like to get ready for Spring is by cleaning. I know that isn’t necessarily as fun as the rest of the itinerary for Spring Break, but it’s a great way to start fresh.
Use this time to go through your closet and see if there’s anything you don’t wear anymore; Adelphi has a clothing drop box for any donations.
This works for commuters as well as residents. I find that I think more clearly and feel more at ease when my room is clean.
I really love this book: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
It has everything from how to fold your clothes to bookshelves to how to organize that pesky under-the-sink mess.
*Pro Tip #1* because the weather’s getting nicer, you can sit on a blanket and read outside (just don’t forget the SPF!)
Another thing to remember about being outside is allergies…dun dun dunnnn. Because of climate change, these past few allergy seasons have been getting progressively worse. I never had seasonal allergies until senior year of high school, and now they’re bad, especially because Adelphi is an arboretum. Be proactive and start taking an allergy medication daily. Your nose will thank you.
*Pro Tip #2* Even over-the-counter medications can be expensive, so use sites like coupons.com to get a few dollars off. Make your wallet, and your nose, happy.
Now that your room is in order and your sniffles have ceased, it’s time to treat yourself. Yass.
Spring is a great excuse (as if we needed one, amirite ladies?) to do some well-earned maintenance.
Go to the gym! Spinning, yoga, kickboxing, and zumba (all of which are offered for free at Adelphi’s CRS) are great ways to stay happy and healthy. Remember, it’s about feeling good and lovin’ yoself. You do not need to have a flat stomach that can fit behind a sheet of computer paper. You are beautiful, Collegiette. Just the way you are.
Take time to pamper yourself.
*Pro Tip #3* Coconut oil is your best friend. It’s a great lip balm, cuticle oil, and shaving cream. Put a golf ball sized amount in your hair and let it sit for 20 min (one episode of Friends) to make a world of difference. It can also be used for my latest obsession, oil pulling: a natural way to improve oral health and whiten teeth. You’re going to want to google that, trust me.
A new haircut and a happy Spring mani pedi is a great way to reward yourself for having survived Winter and midterms. Opt for pastels for a traditional Springy Easter look.
*Pro Tip #4* Use pinterest.com to plan ahead so you have something to show your stylist. I recently cut my hair into a shoulder-length bob and I love it!
*Pro Tip #5* The free app, Groupon, has tons of great deals to use hair and nail salons. Looking and feeling good doesn’t have to cost a fortune. *insert praise emoji*
Looking and feeling good on the outside is great, but don’t forget: it’s what’s inside that counts. As college students, we are almost always under lots of stress. So do what you need to do to counteract that.
Drink lots of water (add fruit for tons of health benefits and a yummy alternative to sugary drinks). Carry around a water bottle (I like the silicon-coated glass or stainless steel ones, because they don’t contain BPA or harmful chemicals that are found in some plastics) so you can stay hydrated on the go.
Spring is a time of rebirth, of beginning anew however that makes sense to you. If you’re the type of person who only runs if something is chasing you, don’t make yourself to go to the gym. If you love your naked nails, no one is forcing you to paint them. It’s all about finding what feels good. If you’ve been toying with the idea of making a change, Spring is in the air! Now is the time! You can be anything. Be bold, be happy, be healthy, and enjoy the Spring, Collegiettes.