Welcome Back and Happy Spring Semester!

The Holiday Season is incredibly joyful: from Hot Cocoa and Cider with friends,
beautifully wrapped presents, cold, snowy days to enjoy outside, and the month-long
break between December and January. It’s a time to relax and enjoy a well-deserved
break after a long and productive year.

But like all breaks, they come to an end. But now it’s time to return to Foggy Bottom
and dive deep into philosophical books, analyze the latest political happenings, and
enjoy the blossoming of the Cherry trees and the beautiful flowers. As you prepare for
your return to campus, take a moment to read up on best practices that’ll get you ready
for a successful spring semester!

TLDR/Main Tips: 

1. Add important dates + classes to your calendar

• Class schedule, Work Schedule, Time to Hangout with Friends, and more

2. Weather:

• Cold at first…then it’ll get nice and warm!
• Beginnings of March: flowers start to bloom
• Beginnings of April: Tulips return

3. Make time to explore the District and all the fun things!

• Cherry Blossoms
• Hillwood Orchid Month
• GW Events: Blossom Market + Cherry Blossom Month
• And more!

4. Prepare for Spring Moveout

• Be mindful of the things you purchase, you’re going to have to move them out at the end!
• Considering summer housing? Check out the Vern!
• Moving supplies: boxes, tape, bubble wrap: buy it early!

5. Take Care of YOU

• CARE Reports
• TimelyCare
• Friends and Family

1. Update Those Calendars!
My friends will all confirm that I’m a strong believer in keeping all my important events in
the calendar. If it’s not in the calendar, it’s not happening! Take some time before you
depart for Foggy Bottom to add all your classes to your calendar, including the
classroom location, time, and days you’ll meet. If you have access to the syllabus, you
can begin adding important dates, such as homework due dates, project deadlines, and
personal notes, including professors’ office hours or scheduled check-ins with UHP
Advisers.

I also love to add personal time to my calendar and make sure I budget some of my
time for self-care. This can be anything from time reserved to catch coffee with friends,
explore my favorite museums, attend one of the many spring events, or just watch
TikTok’s in bed.

2. Be Mindful of the Weather
The “Spring” semester can be a little deceiving, as real spring weather doesn’t begin
until late March/early April. Between the first day of class and that time, it will be cold,
snowy, and very windy! The chance of rain also spikes, leaving lots of times when it will
rain for all hours of the day! Be prepared for those weather changes and pack the right
clothes for the semester.

3. Make Time to Explore
Spring in DC is just as joyful as winter. This time of year brings the advent of the Cherry
Blossoms, Tulips, Magnolias, and many more flowers that brighten the district from the
gloomy cold.

One of the better-known events is the blossoming of the Cherry Trees, which happens
around late March/early April. Throughout spring, you’ll see people celebrate the
season with Cherry-flavored foods, pink souvenirs, and lots of flower displays.

But that’s not all that is coming to life! Make sure to check out the blossoming of the
Magnolias at the Smithsonian’s Enid A. Haupt Garden, the thousands of Tulips at the
Netherlands Carillon in Arlington Cemetery and around Foggy Bottom (especially Kogan
Plaza), and my favorite, Orchid Month at Hillwood Estate, a display of 200+ orchids (one
of the largest in the country). Additionally, Student Life at GW hosts an array of events,
bringing the spirit of the season directly to campus.

There are endless things to do in the Spring, make some time to explore and take a
break from studying!

4. Prepare for Spring Move-Out
If you’re still in on-campus housing, you’re graduating this semester, and/or you’ll have
to relocate for the summer, you’ll have to move out of your current space. Start prepping
for move-out with a few things in mind:

• Be mindful of the things you are purchasing and acquiring: the spring will fly by! You’ll have to move out all those items in May and find space for them at your new accommodation.
• Some things you’ll want to purchase or collect ahead of time:
  • strong boxes
  • packing tape
  • bubble wrap
  • Sharpie to label boxes
  • IKEA bags (or something similar)
• Declutter as needed
  • Are there things you never touched during the year or forgot you owned? Find a new home for them by donating or properly disposing of the items.

Moving supplies and summer storage can also be a hefty investment, with total costs
ranging between $200-400. Research your options and make an informed decision
based on your situation. Closer to February, we’ll also drop a move-out blog post with
more tips, tricks, and info, so be on the lookout!

5. Finally, Take Care of YOU
The reality is, academics can be hard. Balancing social life, studying time, and work can
lead to stress, feeling overwhelmed, or like you’re not fully yourself. GW is here to
support you with multiple resources, including Counseling and Psychological Services
and TimelyCare (available 24/7, including breaks, for a variety of services). Take time to
care for yourself and your wellbeing, including drinking plenty of fluids, having a healthy
diet, and making time to do the things you love. We are here to support your academic,
social, and personal growth!

To our UHP’ers graduating this Spring, may your journey continue to lead you far and
wide! For our community continuing their studies, we wish you good luck!

By: Jorge Sanchez

Jorge Sanchez is a junior in the UHP. He leads as a Peer Advisor for the program and a Community Engagement Advisor for students on the Mount Vernon Campus!