Have you heard of the “winter swoon?” Upper School Director Tom Morris defined it via email as the time of year that “gains momentum immediately following Thanksgiving and can last through President’s day. Symptoms can include a shift of focus away from learning in favor of the holiday thoughts, a false sense that ‘I have plenty of time to study’ for exams.” We sat down with senior Essence Davis, junior Chloe Boggan and freshmen Spencer Cotham and Annika Thompson to hear their advice on how to survive this difficult time of year.

How does the “winter swoon” affect you?

Essence Davis: “Apparently, it’s the time when I’m supposed to stop caring, but I’ve definitely had that all year [and] all last year, so it’s just kind of an extension of the seasonal swoon I guess. Also, it’s mixed with a little bit of ‘senioritis.'”

Chloe Boggan: “Before Christmas break, I don’t want to do anything. I just get so done with everything. My motivation just goes to the ground, and I do nothing.”

Spencer Cotham: “I don’t want to do anything, and I don’t want to go to school because I don’t like it. And it’s just that it’s the end of the year and everything, and it feels like there’s no point in doing anything else.”

Annika Thompson: “I get really tired all the time, and I feel like I never really go to bed because it’s always dark outside.”

How would you advise getting around the “swoon?”

Essence Davis: “Maybe get some friends who can encourage you to do better. If not, it is what it is.”

Chloe Boggan: “I’d say just go home and do your homework right away. Don’t lallygag or anything, or go home then come back to school and do your work. That’s what some people do.”

Spencer Cotham: “Try do to something fun, just to get back into the swing of things.”

Annika Thompson: “I get really tired all the time, and I feel like I never really go to bed because it’s always dark outside.”