As the last piles of snow finally melt and fresh green grass and flowers push their way through the newly thawed ground, students begin to feel the symptoms of a mythical illness.

This illness dogs even the best students, making it nearly impossible to complete assignments and keep up with their studies. This plague is spring fever.

“It’s so hard to sit inside and do homework when you look out the window and see other kids running around without jackets for the first time in the season, and the sun is shining,” said visual communications major Melissa Broccolo. “It was way easier to work when it was snowing, windy and horrible outside.”

Many students agree with Broccolo, and instead of going to class or working on homework, they make their way outside to play sports, ride bikes or simply enjoy the weather.

“I think it’s hard for most students to stay focused on their studies with summer around the corner,” said business accountancy major Melinda Kmet. “The weather is nicer, and all they’re thinking about is being outside and enjoying the nice weather instead of the crummy weather we’ve been having lately.”

Besides the distraction of the weather, students tend to slack off in their studies simply because they’ve worked hard through both semesters, and the end of the year is so near.

“The end is near so most students are antsy to just get school done with,” Kmet said, “My advice would be to think of it this way: There are only five weeks left, might as well do their best while they can and boost up some of those grades.”

University Ombudsman Dr. Tim Griffin said scheduling one’s time is the key to staying on track during the increasingly warm spring months.

“Schedule your time, including both study time and some fun time, and stick to your schedule,” Griffin said. “Be sure to include some time in your schedule to enjoy yourself outdoors in the nice weather.”

Kmet suggests having a calender to keep things in order.

“I have a calendar on my wall, and I write important due dates and tests so my last few weeks don’t seem as cluttered as they are,” Kmet said.

Kmet also compensates completing a goal to keep herself going during the last few weeks of class.

“I give myself small rewards after I’ve accomplished a goal,” Kmet said. “These small things help me keep going the rest of the semester and keeping up my grades.”