In the Loop Newsletter
March 18, 2026
Dear Huskies,
As we wrap up winter quarter, we want to congratulate you on all your accomplishments — whether academic, professional, or personal. This quarter, many of us faced challenges: demanding coursework, navigating uncertainties, and adapting to an ever-changing world. Yet, you have persevered with resilience, dedication, and hard work. Now is the perfect time to take a breath, reflect on your achievements, and recharge for the new opportunities awaiting you next quarter.
Part of recharging is being intentional about what you let into your mind. One area that deserves attention is how we consume information.
Taking Care of Your Information Diet
We live in a world where media is everywhere. Checking in on social media updates and keeping up with friends can be great, but many platforms are designed to encourage continued scrolling. This can lead to what is known as doomscrolling—spending excessive time online scrolling through news or other content that makes one feel sad, anxious, angry, or overwhelmed The term doomscrolling was first coined on X (formerly known as Twitter) and became widely recognized during the Pandemic due to the constant stream of anxiety-provoking news. Overtime, doomscrolling can contribute to anxiety, poor sleep, and emotional exhaustion.
To counter this, many experts recommend forming an information diet—a deliberate plan to regulate how much and what kind of information you consume. The first step recognizing when you might need one. Here are some signs that may indicate information overload:
- You feel anxious, overwhelmed, or emotionally drained after browsing.
- Checking your phone is the first and last thing you do each day.
- You struggle to focus on tasks without reaching for your phone.
- You feel compelled to refresh feeds even when there is nothing new.
Our desire to consume information naturally rises and falls as we encounter events and topics that demand our attention. However, if you consistently notice these signs, it may be time to build a healthier information diet.
Below are a few tips for creating a more intentional information consumption plan:
- Set designated times for checking news and social media. For example, you might limit social media to 30 minutes once in the morning and once in the evening.
- Keep your phone away from the nightstand and workplace when possible.
- Curate your feeds by unfollowing accounts that consistently make you feel stressed or upset, or by opting out of unnecessary notifications.
- Stick to your plan. Consider finding an accountability buddy so you can keep each other motivated during off-grid time.
Learn more about tips that can help combat doomscrolling and information overconsumption here.
Things to Do During Spring Break
One way to reduce social media consumption is to replace mindless scrolling with intentional activities. Seattle offers many opportunities for exploration during the Spring Break. Below are just a few:
- UDistrict Cherry Blossom Festival (March 13- 29): Visit the UW Quad to view the cherry blossoms and enjoy cherry-blossom-themed items at local businesses.
- Trash Art Contest (due March 27): UW Recycling’s seventh annual UW Trash Art Contest is open until March 27! Challenge yourself to create an art piece from items normally thought of as waste.
- Seattle Color Festival (March 28): Celebrate the arrival of spring with vibrant colors, music, and community at Seattle Center.
- Take the brand-new 2 line: Your Husky ID can now take you to Bellevue and Redmond opening up even more opportunities to explore. Use Trip Planner to organize your next visit.
- Recharge in nature: Seattle’s parks and hiking trails provide the perfect escape into nature. If you’re up for a short adventure, taking the ferry to Bainbridge Island or Poulsbo (also known as Little Norway) offers a refreshing change of scenery, with charming shops, cozy cafés, and picturesque waterfronts to explore.
As you recharge, don’t forget to look ahead. Spring quarter brings exciting opportunities for your career and academic journey, so mark your calendar for the following events. The Spring On-Campus Student Job Fair on April 1 is a great opportunity to explore on-campus positions that are currently open or will be opening soon. Later in the month, the Spring In-Person Job and Internship Fair on April 15 will bring together companies from across industries, giving you the opportunity to take the next step in your professional development. In addition, ISS has compiled a list of employment grey areas that can help clarify common questions about work authorization. If you are pursuing an opportunity but are unsure whether it counts as work, please consult the list and/or reach out to schedule an advising session with ISS.
While you explore things to do during this Spring Break, please know that your health, safety, and well-being are a priority for us and for your loved ones. If you are planning to travel during Spring Break, be sure to check that you have a valid travel signature and review ISS guidelines on traveling within the U.S. and internationally before you depart. The CIRCLE team will continue to work throughout spring break, from March 23 to March 27. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach us at uwcircle@uw.edu.
We wish you a lovely and restorative spring break, and we look forward to welcoming you back in new quarter. Take care of yourselves, Huskies!
Warm regards,
CIRCLE Team