UP: Much needed break

Face it, everyone needed spring break. From studying to rehearsing to practicing for games, most were struggling to reach spring break by the end of the week. Finally it arrived and was a breath of fresh air. The to-do lists were long and everyone had time to do their own thing. Thank goodness spring break had everyone’s back. Did you need to pick up extra hours at work? No worries, you had time without having school get in the way. Did you need time to study? You had a whole week to do so, or maybe you just slept all week. Now that school’s back, we are all refreshed and ready to take the mound of studying for midterms head on. Thank you spring for giving everyone a break.

DOWN: Boiling over

They say junior and senior year are the hardest grades of high school, but what about the adult life that is to come after? College seems like a place of freedom, more specifically a party scene to graduating students, but we know we are all going to be studying day and night (or should be). The price tags for piles of heavy textbooks, tuition, access codes for courses, food, orientation, decorations for dorms and more always remain as running thoughts no student wants to pay for. On top of all that, applying for scholarships is a must if you want any chance of decreasing the never-ending cost of a satisfactory college experience. The list of stressful tasks to get done goes on and on, waiting to be checked off. Just remember, get out of the shell of shyness, make new friends, ask for advice and most importantly, bring photos and mementos to feel at home.

UP: Bey and Jay expect double trouble

Congratulations to Beyoncé and her husband Jay Z on their newly announced pregnancy with twins. The couple announced they were expecting on Instagram with a maternity photo. Beyoncé received some backlash for these photos, some calling the pictures “tacky” and criticizing those who congratulate her for simply reproducing. But, every couple should have the opportunity to share the love and emotion that a new child (or two) brings to the family. Pregnancy is a miracle in itself, so let her fans celebrate the soon-to-be birth of more Carter children. Beyoncé, now 35, gave birth to her first child, Blue Ivy, in 2012. Blue Ivy has become a pop culture icon, so now with the addition of two more children the world is left to look forward to who these young Carters will become.

DOWN: Senior year’s a money muncher

Senior year is the year everyone waits for since starting school. All the sayings of “Senior year is the best year ever” or “I’m finally a senior!” are now real, and it’s not as fun as it seems like at times. Heading into the last year of high school, students want to make it as enjoyable and perfect as possible. But thinking about it, senior year is expensive. Students have to order their own necessities like a cap and gown, senior pictures, senior picnic and even the prom tickets are expenses that pile on students throughout the year. On top of those expenses include paying for college applications and tests including the ACT or SAT. Make sure you have a good job when senior year comes around.

UP: Springtime sweeping

It’s that time of the year again to start thinking about spring cleaning. This means decluttering, organizing, sweeping and polishing all the mess and chaos in your space. While this can be seen as a big chore, there’s no denying a worthwhile clean can make you feel productive and less stressful. So while you’re sitting on your bedroom floor trying to find a pair of jeans among the piles of trash strewn across the floor, think about the benefits of spring cleaning and why you should start now. A good spring clean can help you avoid allergy symptoms, clear your mind and also please your mom.

DOWN: Post spring break terrors

Lets face the fact, nobody likes tests. No teacher or student has ever proclaimed their love of standardized exams. Tests can best be summed up as the source of all terror, the monster that keeps students up late crying and the void that sucks the joy out of learning. Nobody enjoys returning back from a relaxing break from school only to be suffocated by midterms and finals. The week after a break from school does not need to be a laissez-faire type of week by any means, but to subject both students and teachers to a sudden week full of tests is just plain old cruel. Neither teachers nor students are in the mood to take tests after they’ve spent a week full of smelling the blooming flowers and taking in the sunshine. Spring break is just the first taste of summer, and it shows through the gradual decline in effort students put toward their schoolwork. Scheduling midterms and finals the same week students and teachers return only results in a decreased performance and effort.