Transitions

As many readers know, I just finished my spring semester at college.  I've been in for two years now, and in those two years I have found that it is very difficult to transition back into class from break.  I've actually never had more than a month off at a time, typically more like three weeks, because I've taken interim classes to help move things along.  This has burned me out pretty badly, and I decided to take a break and recharge this summer.  That's three whole months without class, which should make for  a really fun transition this August.

I've discovered that it's just as hard to transition into break as it is to transition into class, and that's what this post is about.  Who'd have thought? Not me, but it makes sense. 

I first noticed this during Christmas break.  That semester had been a tough one, and it feels like I spent the first half of my month long break (everything before Christmas, really) sleeping or going to my part time job.  After Christmas, I was suddenly well rested and getting all sorts of things done.  I had planned to be that productive all through my break, but unfortunately that's not what happened.

Now that I've been out of class for almost two weeks, I see the same thing happening.  At least the first half of it; the part where I'm tired and can't focus.  I think, at least partially, there's a mental downshift that needs to occur from school, where it's one deadline after the other and the pressure of learn-learn-learn to the far more relaxed pace of tack making and the happiness that can come from improving on something you already know. 

My winter break was still productive, just not as productive as I had planned.  My goal this summer is to shorten the non-productive period and really work on time management.  If they graded procrastination, I'd have an A+ but like everything, wise use of time can be learned with persistence. 

There's actually a lot going on in the studio right now, and I'd like to blog a little more frequently to keep everyone updated.  This does, of course, require time management.  As always, if there's something you'd like for me to blog about (techniques, whatever!) let me know! 

As part of managing my time, there are some household chores that I've been putting off...

Until next time, here are the current projects!