If you attend a university that is on the quarter system, you know all too well about the slump that typically goes along with winter quarter. The weather is dreary, class schedules are the most difficult of the year, and there's just an all-around weird vibe.

But when you make it through that seemingly endless quarter, when you take that last final, and when you say "good riddance" (or if you're me, "F*ck you") to that course that is going to ruin your GPA, you have spring break staring you right in the face. It's only a week long, but it's one of the greatest of the year, whether you're partying in Cabo or catching up on sleep and Netflix.

Even when this blissful week ends and we must return to school for the last quarter of the year, it's not so bad, because it's the best quarter of all: Spring Quarter. So as all of you quarter-system students enjoy your week off, I'll just remind you of some things you have to look forward to come spring quarter:

Longer days

In the spring, the sun stays out much longer than it did during the dreaded winter quarter you just struggled through. You will no longer get out of your last class of the day only to have an hour of sunshine left. Now you'll be able to enjoy the daylight, go for a walk (or a run, if you're feeling ambitious), drink a beer (or three), soak up the sun at the pool or in the quad--the possibilities are endless.

Tanning between classes

Whatever your class schedule or major, it is always worth it to squeeze in an hour or two of pool time during sunny days of spring quarter. Bring your homework if you need; you can be productive and relaxed at the same time. If you have a lighter class load, use tanning time to read a book, listen to music, or spend some time chatting with your friends.

Spring cleaning

It's now a great time to do the deep cleaning of your dorm room or apartment that you have neglected all year long. The sun energizes you, makes you feel alive, motivates you to get your sh*t together. So on the first Sunday of spring quarter (with your roommate, of course), throw on a bathing suit, put on some good music, and clean away!

New classes

One of the greatest (and toughest) things about the quarter system is the fact that classes re-start every ten weeks. Though this makes our lives hell as we struggle to learn a large amount of information in a short period of time and while we dread the midterms that occur anytime from week three to week nine, we only have to deal with our hardest, most demanding classes for ten weeks and we only have to handle that awful professor for a short period of time.

New classes mean (hopefully) better professors and more enjoyable subjects. And if not, at least you know it'll all be over in ten weeks and you'll be able to enjoy the summer.

Doing your homework anywhere outdoors

(See "tanning between classes" above.) But really, you can study not only at the pool, but in the garden behind the mission, outside of the library, Swig lawn if you're a freshman, the sand volleyball courts. Regardless of where you study, it is always nice to be outside, appreciating the sunny weather and the beautiful landscape (how do they keep the grass so green?) of our campus.

Day parties

Last, but definitely not least, the season for day parties (or day drinking, if big parties aren't your thing) has returned. Yes, it is acceptable to start drinking at 10 am. Yes, it is acceptable to play beer die any day of the week as soon as you finish your classes. The weather is beautiful, the sun stays out until 7 pm, and it is always an option to nap and rally if you want to go out later at night.