In last week’s issue, the thought of spring and the end of the year was brought up in the article “Rounding Third”. It was a great piece and very inspirational for the bogged down student dying for the end of the year. There’s only one month left, and you’ve made it this far, so tough it out for these last few weeks.

The spring is one of my favorite times of year primarily because it means the school year is coming to an end. Finals are always stressful, but it’s nice to see all of my hard work during the year finally pay off. As my first year on campus comes to a close, it’s nice to reflect on the year.

There have been a lot of changes in my life since arriving at Case Western Reserve University. I have learned a lot not just in my classes, but about life in general. I’ve learned how to budget my time and manage stress a lot better. I’ve also come a long way from high school in an attitude sense. I never really worried about grades, but now I spend hours in the library every week.

I feel like I’ve matured a lot while living on my own. Being away from my parents has been a lot more difficult than I first imagined, and I look forward to their visits and going home. The homesickness passed long ago, but I do miss the leisure of high school. I remember the days of never having homework and reading for pleasure and participating in all the extracurriculars I could have ever wanted.

Spring reminds me of simpler times and gets me excited to go home for the summer, work a little and relax a lot. It has actually caused me a lot of anxiety. I look at all of my papers that are due, my finals that are approaching much too quickly and even the remaining tests I have before finals.

Spring has a more positive side also. The weather gets warmer—at least, everywhere other than Cleveland. The sun comes out and our vitamin D stores get replenished. The grounds crew replants the flowers even though they’re just going to rip them out for the summer, but they look nice while they’re here.

Spring overall is the best time of year for students everywhere, especially somewhere like Cleveland where the winter is rather harsh. The weather gets warmer, the classes wind down and summer is within reach. There’s only one month left, so just keep grinding away and sweet summer will be here before you know it.

Brian Eckert is a first-year finance and economics double major.