We’re now officially at that point in the semester. Assignments and inboxes are accumulating faster than I can blink — but my Google Calendar is already etched into the backs of my eyelids. As demanding as midterms season might be, I’ve found a foolproof way to fight back: turning my sweet tooth into my academic copilot.
This revelation began with my rediscovered love for hot chocolate sometime around the middle of fall semester. Or, as I like it best, whipped cream with a little bit of hot chocolate on the bottom. The Cage is conveniently located for me — I can grab my drink on the way to work in the library or the Messenger office — but, admittedly, it’s not a prime location for my Flex Dollar balance.
Hot chocolate became my hero during the times when I needed to crank through some exam review, throw my hands at the keyboard for a while to polish up a paper, or decompress after a busy day. Not only is it comforting to have something yummy to sip on, but the chocolate itself boosts my mood — and, I’m convinced, my focus — a great deal.
I’ve found that most sweet treats have similar motivational powers to me. Now that it’s spring and the weather has warmed up a little bit, I’ve found new and equally special sweet treats to savor as I hit the books. For one thing, I’m back in my flavored latte era. In years past, I’ve claimed to be a bitter-coffee-only person, but I think that my shift toward the syrups falls in alignment with the self-care and regulation skills I’ve developed throughout my college years. I’m recognizing a need for more flavor in my day, and I’m meeting it.
Last, but certainly not least, a word on my current favorite sweet treat: the muffin. What a beautiful invention. Blueberry, chocolate chip, apple cinnamon, pumpkin, butterscotch, banana — I’ve never encountered a muffin flavor that I didn’t like. My Cage muffins have been keeping me company in my morning classes and, might I add, pair quite nicely with a hot vanilla latte. I still think about the double-chocolate muffins you’d sometimes find in the dessert case in Stav two years ago. Bon Appétit, consider this my contribution to the suggestion board!
