Catching Up and Moving Forward: One Week Until Spring Break - Week 26
Coming back after the conference has been anything but easy. Transitioning from full-performance mode back to a regular week of school has felt strange. It’s almost like a sudden shift in reality—one moment, everything is about competing, pushing your limits, and focusing on every little detail to perform at your absolute best. Then, all of a sudden, it’s back to classes, assignments, and the usual daily routine. The change has made it difficult to fully settle back in, and at times, it feels like I’m playing catch-up in every class. With only one more week until spring break, I need to make sure I stay on top of everything and finish this stretch strong.
Monday was fairly normal, though some of my classes were canceled, which gave me a little extra time to recover both physically and mentally. After four intense days of racing, my body is still feeling the effects, so any chance to rest is welcomed. However, that doesn’t mean I get to slack off. I have assignments due, and my focus now needs to shift toward making sure my GPA stays where I want it.
Tuesday was a big day, as I had my first accounting exam. I felt somewhat prepared, and the exam itself went alright. I ended up scoring pretty high, which was reassuring, but I know I need to study more. Even though the score was good, it’s not high enough to leave room for mistakes in future exams. If I want to keep my grades where they need to be, I’ll have to put in the extra effort.
Outside of classes, I’ve been working on something new—a second-hand marketplace for the Wheeling campus. It’s a project I’ve been excited about for a while, and so far, things are coming together well. The idea is to create a platform where students can buy and sell used items like books, dorm supplies, haircuts or anything else that might be useful. There’s definitely a need for something like this on campus, and I think it could be a great way to make student life a little more convenient. Right now, I’m finalizing the details and making sure everything runs smoothly. If all goes according to plan, I’m hoping to launch it after spring break and see how people respond to it.
The weekend was packed with social events. Friday kicked off with a swim-golf gathering at the Dirty Diamond (a story for another time). The rest of the weekend, Saturday and Sunday, was all about spending time with friends from the swim team, relaxing and making the most of our time together.
Overall, this week has been a weird mix of exhaustion, stress, and excitement. The conference was an amazing experience, but now I have to refocus and shift my priorities. There’s a lot to get done before the break, and while it’s been tough getting back into the academic mindset, I know I just have to push through. One more week, and then I’ll finally get a chance to breathe.
