Pause and check your progress at the halfway mark

Having trouble viewing this email? Try it in your browser

March 3, 2026
Daylight: 10:22:54

Welcome to Week 8!

It's still cold out, but doesn’t that sunshine feel wonderful?

Wow, can you believe how quickly this spring has flown by? Here we are at the halfway point, just before spring break, and I think it’s a perfect time for a little pause to soak it all in. Let’s take a moment together to look back at the chilly days of winter and peek ahead at the sunny vibes coming our way. Spring is right around the corner!

Now that we’re at this high point, let’s check in on how you’re doing. Are you feeling good about where you’re at? Are you caught up on everything? Hopefully, you’re feeling confident about your important tasks. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, don’t worry, that happens to the best of us! This might be a great time to re-evaluate how you’re managing your time. Have you thought about your time management strategies lately?

There are so many great methods out there, but one of my favorites is the Eisenhower Method. It’s a super handy tool to help you sort through all the demands on your plate. Think about where your studies fit in, or maybe those fun plans for spring break! Take a moment to reflect on where you want to focus your energy.

The Eisenhower Method

Important	Not Important
Urgent	Urgent
Do these ASAP. Go to class Study for tomorrow’s exam Submit a job/internship application Handle real deadlines	Delegate or minimize if possible. Some emails Helping solve problems that aren’t yours Tasks that feel urgent but don’t move you forward
Not Urgent	Not Urgent
Plan these before they become urgent. Exercise Schedule appointments Plan ahead for breaks Work on long-term projects	Time drains – limit these. Scrolling social media Online shopping "Just one more Netflix episode"

A solid game plan for managing your time not only helps you cruise through these busy weeks but also paves the way for long-term success.

Reality Check

You can’t actually "manage" time – but you can manage what you do with it.

According to Time Management: 10 Strategies for Better Time Management from the University of Georgia Extension, students who practice good time management often:

Are more productive
Have more energy
Feel less stressed
Have more free time
Build better relationships
Feel more confident

Imagine finishing the semester feeling steady instead of scrambling. That’s the goal.

If you’re rocking your time management already, that’s awesome! If there’s any room for improvement, now is a great time to reshape your priorities. Refocus where your energy goes and consider what you can scale back on. Are you all set for the ride ahead? Let’s keep our arms and legs inside the car – here we go!

Fernando Escobar, University of Alaska’s Student Regent and an ASUAF representative, will be tabling on Friday, March 6, starting at 1:30 p.m. in Arctic Java for conversation and questions. I urge you to stop by and share what’s on your mind, including victories and challenges.

Spring Break Safety Tips

Have fun responsibly
- Tell someone you trust where you are going
- Consider how much you will drink before going out if you plan on drinking
- Plan for a sober ride

If you plan to go out, make a plan to get home safely
Trust your gut. If you feel unsafe or uncertain about something, don’t ignore that feeling: act on it (ex: tell a friend if something is wrong, leave the party, etc.)
Avoid posting your location in real time on social media
If you see harm happening and feel safe speaking out, say something. To learn more about bystander intervention and training, check out information on training offered by the Office of Rights, Compliance, and Accountability (ORCA) here.

Things to do:

Nominate an Outstanding Graduating Student for one of these categories by March 16:

Marion Frances Boswell Memorial Award, Outstanding Bachelor's Degree Candidate
Joel Wiegert Award, Outstanding Associate Degree Candidate
Gray Tilly Memorial Award, Outstanding Graduating Non-Traditional Student

Take care of yourself over the break
Rest
Restore
Find and share joy where you can

Spring Break Office Hours:

Dining Services: Visit this link for hours
Bookstore: Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Nanook Rec: Normal Hours
Residence Life: Normal Hours
Student Health and Counseling: Triage only during regular hours. The SHCC is closed on Friday, so please use Timely Care at that time.
Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability (ORCA): Normal Hours Monday through Thursday. The ORCA office will be closed on Friday, March 13. If you need assistance on Friday through Sunday, March 15, the following resources are available:
- University Police Department Reporting: ORCA On-call staff can be reached by contacting UPD for non-emergency-matters.
- TimelyCare: TimelyCare is now available for virtual medical services as well as counseling services, available 24/7/365. Sign up using your UAF email account and get connected to a provider in minutes using MedicalNow or TalkNow services.

Have a great week! Enjoy the amazing weather this week and have a fabulous spring break!

Let me know what you are doing for the break that has you excited! As always, I’m at obguthrie@alaska.edu.

— Owen Guthrie, vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management

Unsubscribe

The University of Alaska is an equal opportunity/equal access employer and educational institution. The university is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.