Over the course of this month we have actively promoted the mantra/hashtag #MakeMarchMatter through my center at Penn and some of the students and organizations, encouraging the community to be proactive about getting ahead on their work. We pushed this message for two reasons.
First, because we're situated on the east coast, January through March produces this horrible thing called "winter." Besides warm soups and crock pot recipes, the occasional favorite sweater, and hot chocolate (with marshmellows, because without marshmellows is simply pointless), the ordeal can be depressing. April restores life. Literally. Sunshine, flowers, heat (and pollen and insects, but we'll take 'em). When there's life, it's hard to study. It gets even harder when the campus social calendar overflows with student group performances, year end receptions and ceremonies and formals, Spring Fling, random day parties, and more. At Penn, we also have this thing called Penn Relays, right during Reading Days before finals, which helps no one's GPA. Unless you've made March matter.
Making March matter is difficult. Because it's in the middle. We love beginnings and we so look forward to the home stretch that signals the end is near (especially when the sun is shining). But the middle is tough. We get worn down. We lose focus. We lack motivation. We need to be reminded why we signed up for this. That was our intent with the #MakeMarchMatter campaign. To inspire people to do the work, particularly during this most trying time of the semester.
We're not quite sure how it panned out. We hope well. There's one more day for people to make the most of, so here's to getting it done and moving the needle forward. The end is even closer now. Let's finish strong!
Go Higher!
Brian Peterson
PS - Yes, we've been gone for a minute. But for a good reason (see below). And now we're back.
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