Spring Cleaning

As spring arrives and the school year continues, many NHS students are beginning their own version of spring-cleaning by organizing backpacks, school materials, and digital files. Over the course of the academic year, papers, assignments, and supplies can build up quickly, leaving some students feeling overwhelmed by clutter in their school and personal spaces.

Clutter can appear in many areas of daily student life, including lockers, backpacks, and even digital spaces. Throughout the school year, students manage large amounts of materials such as assignments, notes, and school supplies. By the time spring arrives, these items may accumulate in folders, backpacks, or lockers. Managing these materials while also keeping up with schoolwork can sometimes feel overwhelming.

“Once spring comes around, I feel like I’m just buried in a mess. Then, on top of all this mess, I have to do school work, and it is overwhelming! But once I take out the broom and mop, I feel like I can finally breathe once it's all cleaned up,” NHS sophomore Mya Clavijo says.

Students may also experience clutter in the spaces they carry with them every day. Backpacks often collect old quizzes, completed assignments, and loose papers over time. In addition to physical clutter, students may also deal with digital clutter such as crowded email inboxes, multiple browser tabs, and unused documents saved on devices. When these materials build up, it can become more difficult for some students to find the resources they need for schoolwork.

Spring-cleaning does not always require large projects. Some students may begin by removing papers from earlier parts of the school year that are no longer needed or by organizing digital files and emails. Cleaning one section of a backpack or workspace at a time can make the process more manageable.

“When I have a clean environment I feel super free. It's nice to have one thing less to worry about in my day-to-day life,” NHS sophomore Charlotte Grasso says.

Ultimately, spring-cleaning is about more than just scrubbing floors or clearing out closets. For students, organizing school materials and digital spaces can help reduce stress and create a more positive and productive learning environment as the school year continues.