Spring semester is difficult. The weather is terrible, stress levels are on an all-time high and if you’re a senior, people are constantly asking you left and right, “What are you doing after graduation?”
But one thing is on the horizon: spring break. That joyful week off from homework, projects and classes is not only a week of relaxation, but also the halfway mark of the spring semester. Although that week is not here just yet, you may be in need of some motivation to survive until then.
With the overwhelming and justifiable popularity of “Hamilton the Musical,” about a man who wrote his way in and out of everything in his lifetime, here are 10 motivational lyrics from the show that teaches us to not throw away our shot.
1. “I am the one thing in life I can control.”
Through all of his trials and tribulations, Aaron Burr knew that he was the only one in life he could control. You are the only one who can control how well you do in your classes. Keep studying more and trying harder, spring break is soon.
2. “I am not throwing away my shot.”
Again, like Burr, Hamilton did not throw away his chance at anything. He took every opportunity possible to make a legacy for himself and make his life better than he had growing up. Don’t throw away your shot with your education, keep going to class and gaining that knowledge.
3. “Hamilton wrote the other 51!”
Got a group project that’s getting you down? From “Non-Stop,” this lyric is in relation to the writing of The Federalist Papers, which were written by John Jay, James Madison, and Hamilton. The project was initially split evenly among the three men, but Jay fell sick after writing five letters, Madison wrote 29 and then Hamilton wrote 51. Even Hamilton went above and beyond with “group projects,” so keep pushing your group along.
4. “In the eye of the hurricane there is quiet.”
In the midst of all the stress, take a moment to breathe and enjoy a quiet moment. Even if it's just a five-minute walk to the restroom, take a moment be quiet.
5. “Take a break.”
Even if your to-do list is growing instead of shrinking, you need a break once in awhile. If possible, take one day out of your week where you close the books and hang out with your friends and enjoy college. Maybe take this time to create those spring break plans!
6. “Keep on fighting. In the meantime —"
It's one month into the semester, so keep on fighting and keep going. Burr and Hamilton went back to school following the war, and Hamilton's writing and fighting was non-stop. Keep moving forward!
7. “I stop wasting time on tears.”
Be smart like Angelica and be strong like Eliza. After Hamilton's death, Eliza decided to stop wasting time and continue her husband's legacy and make a name for both him and herself. She shed her tears, but put her emotions into her work and created the first orphanage in New York City, contributed to the Washington Memorial, and more. Time is everything, don't waste it.
8. “Got a lot farther by working a lot harder by being a lot smarter by being a self-starter…”
If there's one thing to look up to about Hamilton, it is his perseverance. After losing his family at a young age, he could have gone down the completely wrong path. But by working hard, being smart and a self-starter, he grew up to be a hero and a scholar. You will get farther by doing all of these things. Be a self-starter this semester and stay focused. And in times of doubt, sing this lyric to yourself.
9. “I’m not falling behind or running late.”
Keep an agenda or calendar and do not fall behind. Manage your time accordingly, and do not fall behind or run late. Be on time to class, project meeting, and activities.
10. “Look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now.”
Whether it's 1776 or 2016, we are lucky to be alive right now. With all the opportunity that is out there, do not take advantage of it. In the midst of it all, just look around and remind yourself why you are where you and be thankful for what you've achieved.
You can do this. Spring break is coming. So just remember, keep fighting in the meantime, take a break and most of all, don’t throw away your shot!
