When you think of March Madness, you think of basketball and making brackets and wondering whether your favorite team is going to make it all the way. However, March Madness goes way beyond basketball. March is only the third month of the year so why does it feel like you're already in month fifteen? Here are four reasons why March really is madness:

1. The weather that comes with March is madness within itself.

The weather is outrageous. I mean who enjoys freezing rain one day, sunshine the next and then snow all weekend? Also, that wind is unreal. Bad hair days are unending and outfit changes are only one downfall that comes with March.

Wearing layers and a coat on Monday and shorts and a t-shirt by Wednesday isn't all it is cracked up to be. Oh and having to start your car an hour early before class so the windows can thaw is so January. Where is that groundhog and spring?

2. School is picking up and your drive is slowing down.

Getting up and getting yourself to class, even if class doesn't start until noon, is getting harder by the day. "Burnt out" is an understatement and your professors are starting to see right through your excuses. You can only get "pink eye" and have a "dead cat" so many times before someone starts to notice.

Also, the assignment load is beginning to pick up and you would rather be doing literally anything other than writing a 10-page research paper about the long-term effects cell phone radiation has on your body.

3. "Spring cleaning" is a must and not surprisingly, a lot of dust as well.

Although it doesn't always feel like spring yet in March, spring cleaning is in full swing. The idea that having a clean space brings a clean mind is more important than ever when there are so many changes going on.

The weather is changing, the time is changing, your grades are changing. Having a clean home is like having a fresh start and that is exactly what the doctor ordered in March to add to your madness.

4. Spring break is so close yet so far and so out of your budget.

Midterms are among us and our financial aid refunds are dwindling down. The need for a vacation somewhere warm or even just spending hours in your bed binge-watching Netflix can't come quick enough.

However, with spring break comes cramming before and catching up after. Whether it is working extra hours to make more cash or surviving off of bread and Ramen Noodles to save up, March can be rough on the pockets and this madness is not slowing up any time soon.