It is the second semester, but it seems like we have not been in school at all. After winter break, Martin Luther King Jr. Day off and a total of three snow days in a row, it felt like January 51st. With May 24th marked boldly on our calendars, the to-do list grows by the minute, as we count down the days until graduation. But here we are, halfway through February, holding on by a thread.

Truthfully, I have one foot in and one foot out of the door right now. I have to practically pry myself out of bed to get to school. What becomes my alarm in the morning are the people and teachers I get to interact with everyday. The feeling of being checked out, also known as senioritis, is inevitable for some seniors. For me, this is a feeling that is all too familiar.

 I have come to the conclusion that this feeling mirrors the story found on page eight, WARNING: Brain Under Construction (hard hat required). As teenagers, the parts of our brain responsible for motivation and emotional regulation are some of the last to develop, meaning that feelings of burnout and restlessness are not situational. They are just part of the process. 

No matter what stage of high school you are in, I urge you to remind yourself that being present and in progress is not the same as being behind. Our brains will continue to develop, and as they do, the most important thing we can do is give ourselves time and space to catch up. 

In issue 4 of Arlingtonian we cover a plethora of topics such as relationships, new classes available next year, Lunar New Year, the evolution of music and you might see some familiar faces profiled. In February, prioritize your relationships, read issue 4 of Arlingtonian and grab a few more threads to hold on to.