Break-time Reset by Lily

Break-time Reset by Lily - February 2026 Scholarship Essay

I am not someone who is naturally organized. I can be quite organized if I am paying attention, and am pretty good at sitting down and making things look neat, but when I'm preoccupied or rushed I tend to forget things or shove stuff into the general vicinity in which it belongs. This means things can get both physically and mentally misplaced. At home it makes a mess. At school, it can mean a failing grade or something just as bad. Because of this I had to find a way to keep my assignments, subjects, room, and life organized.
Periodically throughout the school year there are a few good-sized breaks. At the beginning of a break I rest, read, and recuperate. In the middle of the break I make sure all my chores are caught up on and clean out and reorganize my room. Near the end of the break I go through all my school stuff and clean out everything I don’t need and reorganize what’s left, getting ready for the next bout of school. The night before the break ends I go through everything and make sure it's all ready for school the next day.
This cleanout not only keeps me busy, but it makes starting school so much easier and less stressful. During the break I can leisurely clean out and organize things and during school I can focus on doing school work. When I physically clean up it helps me to be mentally ready for school and makes it seem like a fresh new start instead of just going back to the same old grind. My break-time routine only keeps things organized but it helps me enjoy and stay focused during the long school year.