Well, that’s about all, folks. Winter quarter is coming to an end and these blankets—duvets, rather—of snow we’ve been receiving may be some of our last of the year. For many, this is a relief. But there’s something sentimental about this time for snow-crazed students like me, and I can’t help but freak out a little bit.
No winter is enough for my unrealistically high goals. I tell myself I’ll get X amount of days and do X amount of things, and usually fail to succeed. So, in an effort to avoid this disappointment, I have decided to shift my focus.
Instead of moping over the days I didn’t make it out on the slopes, I’ll reminisce on the days that I did. And instead of shaking my head because I didn’t follow through with enough plans on my unrealistic to-do list, I’ll nod my head at the fact that I managed to check off some of them. I won’t get bummed out at all at the end of this quarter. Because our situation—weekdays in one of America’s greatest cities and weekends up in the Rockies—is too good to mope over.
To those of you who did get your X amount of days or completed your X amount things planned, well done. You must have really buckled down, and most likely skipped a hefty number of classes. And to those of you who only made it out on the mountain once, twice or not at all, you deserve a “well done,” too. As long as you can look back on this quarter and smile about something you did—on or off the mountain—it went a whole lot better than you may think.
Less fortunate kids, and even equally fortunate kids who go to college in different areas of the world, don’t have the same incredible opportunities we do as DU students. Between what’s available here in Denver and high up in the mountains, this place is a paradise. And the simple fact that we live here should be appreciated, not turned into a competition or to-do list.
No winter is enough for my unrealistically high goals. But like my recurring winter disappointment, I recurrently forget that spring awaits. Arguably the best quarter of the year is still ahead of us, and it’s full of potential adventures. With less snow on the ground for activities like hiking, biking and fishing, yet just enough snow to get some more slushy turns in on the mountain, there’s a lot to be excited about.
Pios, don’t look back on this quarter with regret; look back on it with positivity. Whether you sat in bed watching Netflix and braving the cold all quarter or conquered every mountain in sight, you are a very lucky individual with plenty of things to smile about.
