It currently feels like winter will never end. Though this winter has had comparatively mild temperatures and minimal snowfall, the constant chilliness, layering, heavy boots, and darkness outside can overwhelm the most optimistic person. 

When the sun starts to peek through the clouds, there's a palpable excitement in the air, and a certain joie de vivre explodes from the earth. You see people sitting outside between classes pretending to study or composing emails, but we all know they're actually sending perfectly sun-kissed Snapchats to their friends. Now that you don't want to crawl in bed at 7 pm, happy hour seems alluring. Rather than hibernating in the library for the 45 minutes between classes, you elect to enjoy the sun instead.

When the weather is beautiful, the last thing you want to do is any form of work. However, the end of the semester typically contains more hurdles than any other time of the year. Concentrating becomes difficult when you want to sit outside all day. Here are some tips on how to remain focused when you just want to sit outside all day:

1. Be Prepared

It may seem like you're in the clear once your performances are done for the year; however, you never know when you will be asked to sing a last-minute audition or jump in for someone who is sick. Keep practicing, and think twice before going to happy hour multiple days in a row. 

2. Get Weird if You Wanna...

The end of the year can be a great time to work on music that was pushed to the side during the throes of recital and opera prep. Perhaps you have an obscure English aria you'd like to learn, or you simply want to try something new. The end of the year brings a lot of free time for both singers and coaches. For singers, not all coaching time has to be devoted to ironing out wrinkles in recital and opera music. Additionally, the coaches's schedules start to lighten. Utilize your coaching time to work on rep that has been gathering dust, and see if your coach has any additional time available.

3. Forge New Connections

Similarly, perhaps you've been meaning to ask a coach to work with you, but you haven't had the opportunity. While working with people behind your teacher's back is never recommended, opera staff coaches and diction coaches typically work with multiple students ad hoc and may be willing to schedule some time to meet with you. The worst that could happen is they say no, and you've shown your initiative to go the extra mile!

4. Take Me On A Trip, I Want to Go Someplace!

Plan a weekend excursion with some friends or go solo to give yourself something to look forward to during the week. It will be so much easier to power through your term papers with the thought of a beach trip on your mind. 

5. Prepare Now, Play Later

If you have received accepted to a summer program or YAP, get a head start on that music. Nothing shows professionalism more than arriving completely prepared. The better prepared you are, the more you will enjoy your experience. You will also have the accessibility of your teacher and coach to assist you before they head off on their various summer endeavors.

6. Put Pencil to Paper and Make a Plan

If you don't have a summer program or YAP planned - no sweat! Use this time to make a list of what you hope to accomplish this summer along with a plan of action. We've all woken up on July 5th, realized half the summer has passed, and we're nowhere near accomplishing what we intended to do in May. Write it down, schedule deadlines, and tell a mentor to help keep you accountable. Make it happen!

7. Give Yourself the Best of Both Worlds

If you simply can't be motivated, figure out low-cost ways to be outside and do work at the same time. Have a picnic and study notes at the same time. IPA your song for your Italian final with the alcoholic kind of IPA on a bar patio. Take a walk with your friends and test each other on material for your final exams. Get creative and come up with ways to enjoy yourself while being responsible.

8. Avoid Procrastination - Be Proactive!

Eliminate distractions by hiding your phone, going to a different coffee shop where you won't see classmates, turning off the iMessage app on your laptop, or installing an extension on your web browser that blocks social media. If you set yourself up for success, you have a much greater chance of succeeding.

9. The Ultimatum

If none of the above works, remind yourself of the stakes. When the choice is between studying your notes so you don't fail a class or daydreaming under a tree, the correct answer is pretty clear. Nothing lights a fire under you like thinking about the tuition money spent on your education, especially if you're graduating this year.

There you have it! Best wishes for a productive spring and end of the semester!