The University of Maine’s production of Jean Paul Sartre’s “No Exit” was performed the weekend of April 5. While the show was set to premiere on April 4, its opening was delayed due to the snowstorm.

Sartre’s “No Exit” sees three recently deceased people now stuck together in Hell, which takes the form of a single sitting room. As they are forced to be near each other, they uncover why they are in Hell, watch those on Earth forget them, and slowly go mad due to the others’ presence.

The opening night performance also featured a Q&A session with the University of Maine Philosophy Club to discuss the nihilist, existential themes central to the play. The show is one act, lasting approximately an hour and a half and has its three leads on stage for their introduction onwards: Martin Guarnini as Joseph Garcin, Vincent Norman as Inez Serrano and Sarah Chang as Estelle. 

Garcin is a journalist who was shot after running from a war. Inez was a sadistic lesbian who died in a murder-suicide with her lover. Estelle was a young wife who succumbed to pneumonia.  The only other character is the valet, played by Nicholas Corcione. While the valet’s role is small, mostly there to lead each character to the room and set the scene, the most interesting part about the role was that Corcione walked around the rafters, leering down on the play from the top of the seating, slipping through the wing’s doors and appearing every so often. While small, this touch was interesting to notice throughout the play. Whenever your eye wanders, there would be the valet, watching over everything.

The philosophical nature of the show is the most interesting part, and enjoyment of the show depends on the audience’s interest in the questions it poses. The characters are over-the-top and generally dislikable, although this is by design. 

Norman’s portrayal of Inez was loud and demanding. She climbed around on the couches, laughed loudly and often and was the most outgoing of the performance. While Norman’s energy was there, they at times seemed lost in the slower–paced portions of the play, stuttering into certain lines.

Garcin is the most vocally thoughtful of the characters and brings a clear line of philosophical thinking. Guarnini’s performance was appropriately done, being a mix of rambling and thoughtfulness. His delivery of the show’s dialogue was able to hold attention despite being philosophical. 

Chang’s Estelle played well as the balance of the show despite the character being highly emotional. As Chang’s character is the most upset about being dead, and in Hell, she remains likable instead of annoying. Her flip-flopping emotional state was believable rather than off-putting. 

The set consisted of three color-coded couches representing each character, a fireplace with a paper knife and a bronze bust and a plain white door. While small, the set did everything it needed to. The tightness of the stage helped add to the claustrophobic feeling.

The costuming of Garcin and Inez, done by Emily Voight, was done particularly well and set a clear feeling of time. Garcin’s green tweed suit, dress shirt, and sweater give him the feeling of a working but learned man. Inez had a pair of wide-legged tan pants and a starkly red blouse, loud and matching her personality. 

“No Exit” contains one of Sartre’s most famous quotes: “Hell is other people.” The show is a slow boil of despair and loathing between the three characters. While the characters and the things they do are irritating and outrageous, the way they are portrayed by the three leads was done excellently. The show had enough energy to not drag through the run time but enough focus on the tamer moments to make everyone feel rounded. 

The lighting of the show was also simple yet well done. The show was mostly lit by a bright overhead light, although stark spotlights of the characters’ primary color (green for Garcin, red for Inez, blue for Estelle)  would take over during particular moments. There was also a moment in which the lights took on a ghostly flashing, which did well to amplify the scene without being over-the-top.  

Overall, the production of “No Exit” was well done and well organized. The subject matter of the play may not be to everyone’s liking, and how long the play feels depends greatly on that.

Four evening shows and two matinees of “A Pirate’s Life for She” ran at the University of Maine’s Hauck Auditorium from the end of February to the beginning of March. The play promises all the fun of an LGBTQ+ swashbuckling adventure.

Primarily being a pirate comedy a la Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Pirates of Penzance,” the show focuses heavily on queer themes and romances. Unfortunately, in trying to mesh these two aspects, they both end up dead in the water.

Shortly into the show, we are introduced to our main trio of pirates: fashion designer Pierre, played by Josh Worster, first-mate Mary Read, portrayed by Alissa Halloway, and Pirate Queen Anne Bonny, portrayed by Kayla Barton. 

Pierre’s primary character traits are made known from his first entrance. Sporting a lavender suit, Worster speaks with a thick — borderline unintelligible during some moments —  French accent. Pierre is portrayed as a somewhat stereotypical flamboyant gay man. While Worster did well, their comedic moments also landed, portraying the character’s dramatics with flair and enthusiasm. With this said Pierre does little more than flirt with Jilly, the fourth leading role and the only other designated male role. In moments where Pierre is meant to be serious, it is hard to tell what he is saying under the thick French accent.

This is a recurring issue throughout the show. Jilly is thickly English, and the pirates are, well, pirates. They all play up the accents to the extreme. A lot of dialogue was lost between these accents and poor projection at times. If a sound effect was playing or another noise was present in the theater, it would drown out the actors. What dialogue was left boiled down mostly to jokes based on either sex and innuendos or characters being drunk. 

Jilly and Anne act as the show’s protagonists. Anne goes from an obscene drunkard pirate, mourning and angry at the betrayal of a loved one, to appreciate the crew that makes her ship home, as well as her “Soulmatey” Mary. The change is slight but present. 

Jilly, on the other hand, starts as a confused, cowardly boy who stumbles into action. By the end, he’s a confused, cowardly pirate who doesn’t actually do anything meaningful in an effort to save others. 

In terms of character growth, there really isn’t any. At the end of the show, there’s a scene where Jilly says he prefers that name over Jack, his actual name. While it feels like an allegory for coming out and gender queerness, there’s not actually any progression of Jilly as a character, and even the choice of his name is something decided by those around him. They can’t call him Jack, so they decide on a random name to call him, so none of the agency of the change really belongs to Jilly. 

Rounding out much of the cast is Anne’s pirate crew, consisting of a group of five characters: Max, acted by Samuel Mather, Ash, acted by Else Molarsky, Fin, acted by Lauren Poulin, Scout, acted by Blue Schade and Sam, acted by Ryan Whorf.

The group is supposed to be a rowdy but lovable bunch that moves around Jilly and the other characters. They are also the driving force behind the show’s musical numbers, ready to start into a shanty whenever they see an opportunity. The group comes off as annoying at times instead of the endearing they were clearly supposed to be. 

They are all fairly one-note characters. Sam is the loud one, Fin is the smart one, Scout is cheerful and energetic, Ash likes food and acts promiscuously. Pierre makes a joke early that their singing gets a little annoying as they first are introduced to Jilly. The show times in at under two hours, and this does prove to be true. The songs fail to be as good as even the sea shanties played before curtains.

Being about pirates and originally written by a fight coordinator, Amie Root, the show has lots of swashbuckling and dueling. Or, is at least supposed to. “Amie wrote this play because the opportunities for women to use stage combat skills is lacking in the repertoire, particularly for this style of swordplay,” said director D. Granke in a release from the UMaine School of Performing Arts.

The style of swordplay used is akin to saber-style fencing. It was also quite lacking. The choreography amounted to the fighting characters beating each other’s blades back and forth, imitating the noise of blade contact that would come with a parry but without any of the movements or tension in an actual fight. 

The Pirate Queen Anne was the worst case of this. Within her two duels, as well as other fight scenes, her fighting boils down to meaningless beats, wide slashes, and then simply grabbing the opponent’s sword by the blade when it’s time for her to win the fight. Rather than make her seem the fearsome pirate, Anne only manages to come across as the least incompetent of a fairly bumbling group.

Aries (March 21 to April 20)

Be bold and take action with your plans. Take initiative and hold fast to what you think is the right thing to do. Others will follow your lead.

Taurus (April 21 to May 20)

Don’t try to bite off more than you can chew. Be careful when starting new things, or you might overload yourself with projects. It’s okay to have downtime.

Gemini (May 21 to June 22)

Just because you are able to change easily doesn’t mean those around you are. Sometimes, it can be hard for people to let go of preconceived ideas. Don’t push people to change too fast; let them go at their own pace.

Cancer (June 23 to July 21)

Strive to get as much done as you can. Try to pour as much of yourself into your work as you can. Your progress will make life easier. Others will notice the difference, too.

Leo (July 22 to Aug. 23)

It may seem like there’s a lot going on inside your head right now or that how you feel doesn’t align with the world around you. Try to find out when you’re right and wrong in your beliefs and adjust accordingly. In instances when you are wrong, be willing to acknowledge it. 

Virgo (Aug. 24 to Sept. 23)

Don’t take things for granted. Just because you could do without something doesn’t mean you shouldn’t appreciate it while it’s there. Do something for your loved ones that they’ll enjoy.

Libra (Sept. 24 to Oct. 23)

Try to communicate how you feel with those around you. Your loved ones care about you and how you’re doing, so don’t block them out. Even if you’re in a good mood, try sharing it with others.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 to Nov. 22)

Just because you feel a certain way about something doesn’t mean your way is right. Don’t be too stubborn to acknowledge other points of view, even if you don’t agree. Try to look at things without your emotional bias to get a clearer picture.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 to Dec. 21)

If you feel conflicted about things going on, try to exercise caution. You may be rushing in too fast and need to take a second to stop and consider your options. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.

Capricorn (Dec. 21 to Jan. 20)

Just because you have a plan doesn’t mean it is set in stone. Be ready for whatever life throws at you, even if that means changing course. Some things may be hard for you to navigate, but don’t let too much hesitation get in the way of getting things done.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 to Feb. 19)

Hold fast to your gut feelings and your own personal strengths. Know where you shine, and don’t be afraid to be assertive when you know your input is valuable. Have confidence in yourself.

Pisces (Feb. 20 to March 20)

Know what your limits are and convey them to others. Don’t get swept away just because you have trouble saying no. You’ll be able to do more overall if you don’t overexert yourself.

Last Friday night, the Maine Women’s Lobby hosted the Hot Ticket Hootenanny at the Bangor Arts Exchange. The feminist variety show and silent auction showcased female artists and helped raise money for the lobbyist group. 

The night consisted of five performances: Arisa White, reading poetry, Darcy Withers, singing and playing guitar, Roxanne Munksgaard, who led a singalong; ImprovAcadia, with a few short improv skits; and Julia Poulin, with a comedy sketch. The event was emceed by the drag queen Priscilla Poppycocks. 

White is a poet and associate professor of creative writing at Colby College. The poetry she performed focused on both feminist and racial themes. White’s portion was the most solemn of the performances, with the room listening intently during her readings. She, like all performers to follow, was met with resounding applause.

Withers is a part-time singer-songwriter. She has lived in Maine for about 10 years and also works as a chef and community advisor. While performing a few of her own original songs, including “Dig Down Deep,” she also performed songs by other female artists, such as “Resilience” by Rising Appalachia, which had those who knew the song singing along.

Munksgaard is one of the owners of Maine Jewelry and Art, which resided in downtown Bangor for over a decade before switching to an online store. 

As Munksgaard took the stage, lyric sheets were passed out to everyone in the audience. Munksgaard has a history of union work and protests which led her to adapt four union songs to fit the lobby’s message. Withers also accompanied the first two on guitar.

The traditional union song “Under my feet” was also adapted and arranged by Munsgaard, with lines changed to reference the Maine State House and other relevant places.

One of them, titled “How could anyone,” was created by Munksgaard’s union sister Libby Roderick. Munksgaard described the song as being an anthem for the gender justice movement.

It was no trouble getting the room to participate in the singalong. While people may have started off quietly, shyly following Munksgaard’s lead, the volume rose throughout the songs. “Under my feet” proved the rowdiest, involving a stomping section everyone seemed more than ready to participate in.

ImprovAcadia involved a set of three improv comedians as well as a fourth member directing them and playing piano along with their skits. Like most improv shows, they opened the floor to the audience to decide their skit. Their first skit was a scene from their fictional Oscar-winning movie, “The Devastating Poodle.” 

They also did a skit of an instruction manual for a popsicle, with the members being cut off randomly and having to pick up exactly where the previous person left off.  

Julie Poulin was the final act of the night. Following the improv group, Poulin did a solo comedy special. Poulin catered to her audience, with much of her humor being about being a woman in her fifties, as well as talking about her mother and husband. Much of the humor landed on the cruder side, often referring to sex, although this played well for her audience. 

Two Maine Women’s Lobby members were present and spoke during the night. Executive Director Destie Sprague and Development and Communications Coordinator Dania Bowie.

“We deeply believe that gender policy needs all types of people to engage,” Sprague said. 

Sprague has been lobbying for 18 years, although she only joined the Maine Women’s Lobby in 2020. At the beginning of the night, she spoke about her first time in the courthouse and how she felt she didn’t fit in. 

“I wore a blazer every day,” said Sprague. “It was my ‘I belong’ costume.”

The Maine Women’s Lobby believes in gender justice and fights for policy on such topics, including abortion rights, gender-affirming care, healthcare and childcare. Their recent work involves a policy for paid family and medical leave to be enacted in 2026.

“Together, we can be catalysts for change, and we need everyone,” said Bowie.

Aries (March 21 to April 20)

You may be being too stubborn in your social life. Not everything has to be done your way. Let others have some control and go with the flow.

Taurus (April 21 to May 20)

You’ll have the best luck sticking with what you know will make you happy. Don’t let others push you around or feel that you have to change for those around you. Enjoy doing your own thing. 

Gemini (May 21 to June 22)

Focus on communicating your moods and emotions to those around you. If they don’t know how you’re feeling, they won’t know to stop something you don’t like. It’s good to be clear about what you like and dislike.

Cancer (June 23 to July 21)

Enjoy some time to yourself and put yourself in a good mood. Focus on doing things that make you happy, even if you need to put tasks off for some time. It’s not a bad thing to need self-care days.

Leo (July 22 to Aug. 23)

You may feel like you’re coming out of a slump. Listen to those around you and work on yourself where needed. Don’t let a bad day be the end of the world.

Virgo (Aug. 24 to Sept. 23)

While you may typically let yourself be led by what others want to do, it may benefit you to speak up for yourself more. If you want something or feel that a change has to be made, make that known.

Libra (Sept. 24 to Oct. 23)

Talking with others is the best way to keep peace. Don’t let things bottle up, as this will just lead to bigger issues down the road. Deal with things as they come up, even if it’s hard.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 to Nov. 22)

Try to stick to your skillset. Know what you’re good at and utilize that. While it’s good to get out of your comfort zone, it’s also smarter to work within the bounds of what you know. 

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 to Dec. 21)

Push yourself to do more things you want to do instead of idling. You won’t get anything done just by thinking about what you want to do. If you feel yourself thinking about something, go do it.

Capricorn (Dec. 21 to Jan. 20)

You may find yourself pulled into a situation outside your typical comfort zone. You may need to give ground or think about how others feel when what you want goes counter to others. Try to look at things from different perspectives.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 to Feb. 19)

When you get overwhelmed with feelings and different thoughts, you may dig your feet in on whatever topic is making you feel this way. Try to keep open and don’t just shut down when things become too much. It’s hard to change the root problem that way.

Pisces (Feb. 20 to March 20)

Turn your thinking inward and look at how you feel about things and why you may feel that way. Don’t let your emotions define you. Think about what’s causing you to have good or bad feelings.

Aries (March 21 to April 20)

Don’t hold back your emotions this Valentine’s Day. Be open about your feelings and overcome any anxieties you may have. Even if things don’t go perfectly, putting all your cards on the table is better.

Taurus (April 21 to May 20)

Know that you are loved for who you are. Show your Valentine (or Valentines!) that you appreciate them by doing something unique together. Your loved ones will appreciate seeing and spending time with the real you.

Gemini (May 21 to June 22)

Make sure to communicate with your loved ones, even if they’re far away physically. Don’t be too stubborn, and let others have a say in your plans. Go with the flow, let go, and don’t get too caught up in how you want things to go.

Cancer (June 23 to July 21)

If you want to show your loved ones you care, think about how they’ll best understand your emotions. Consider their love language, whether it’s doing something for them, getting them a gift, or sending a reassuring message.

Leo (July 22 to Aug. 23)

Be selfless on Valentine’s Day. While you may have a set idea of what you want to do, let your loved ones plan.

Virgo (Aug. 24 to Sept. 23)

Even if you don’t have the means to show your love in the way you want, don’t let that stop you from trying. Do your best to express your authentic appreciation.

Libra (Sept. 24 to Oct. 23)

Take the initiative to show your love for others. Don’t wait for someone else to make plans or reach out; be the first to let people know you care about them. They’ll appreciate it.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 to Nov. 22)

You may struggle with getting your plans to go the way you want. Even if things feel imperfect, that doesn’t mean the sentiment isn’t there. Try to look on the bright side and make do with what you find there. 

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 to Dec. 21)

While you may not have any grand plans for Valentine’s Day, that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of it. Reach out to your loved ones, and do something just for yourself. Show people you care in small ways.

Capricorn (Dec. 21 to Jan. 20)

Try to give yourself up to the joy of spending time with loved ones, even if it means putting responsibilities aside for a moment. Give yourself time to just be without worrying about tomorrow.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 to Feb. 19)

Give yourself the care you need. Don’t lose yourself in trying to do things for others; make sure you appreciate yourself. Change your habits to establish more time for what you want to do.

Pisces (Feb. 20 to March 20)

While you may be unable to show your love to the degree you want, that doesn’t mean it isn’t felt. Trust that your loved ones understand your intentions, even if things don’t come out perfectly.

The Orono Thrift Store, located on Birch Street, is open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The store offers clothing, shoes, household items, books, children’s necessities and other miscellaneous items. 

Orono Thrift Store is located on the second floor of an old schoolhouse that sits next to the Orono library. Their hours are limited due to their volunteer-based staff:  9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. The Black Bear Express has a stop in front of the library and thrift store, making the trip there and back convenient for all students. 

The store is mainly split between three rooms. In one room, straight ahead of the stairs, there are household items, media, fabric, electronics and games from floor to ceiling. Even records can be found here. 

Going to the right leads into the second room, where there’s jewelry and the checkout counter. The individuals who work here are welcoming and helpful to customers. 

Passing through the second room leads to the third and largest room, where clothing is organized. Metal racks create aisles within the room. Even without other people around, the small space may quickly feel cramped. 

Much of the clothing space is filled with women’s and children’s clothing. Everything is neatly sorted by type and size, and the volunteer workers can be seen pushing carts of to-be-displayed apparel. 

Most of the items can be found for less than five dollars. While vintage pieces are sometimes marked up, ordinary clothing like shirts, pants, scrubs and outerwear is still inexpensive.

Discounts circulate based on the color-coding of tags. This month, black-marked items are half-off. A sign on the wall gives the set price for clothing sections, such as one-dollar tee-shirts. 

“They have really good prices,” said Ben Rendy, a fourth-year at the University of Maine. “Also, I got a slap chop, which is pretty cool.”

Rendy, along with his friends Evan Schindler and Nick Quartararo, are UMaine seniors who visit the shop regularly. Alongside the slap chop, the three were excited to find a Shrek shirt. 

“We come about every three weeks—when we have money,” said Schindler.

While the thrift store caters to everyone in the community, such as parents, high-school kids, and retired folks, UMaine students are more than welcome.

“There’s a lot of college students, lot of families,” said Jennifer Sonnenberg, the office manager.

According to Sonnenberg, the number of college students visiting the store has grown in the past few years, likely due to social media. Besides their website, the Orono Thrift Store can be found on Facebook and Instagram under the handles of Orono Thrift Store and Oronothrift, respectively. On their social media, people can find new items, interesting pieces and updates on sale colors.

All items available at the thrift store are via donation. There is a consistent supply of new items from the community.

“Every day, people bring new stuff in,” said Sonnenberg.

The workers go through all donated items to ensure they are of good quality. Items that have tears, stains or don’t work properly will not be put out for resale. 

Items that are deemed to not be in good enough condition for the store will be sent to other recycling and sustainability-based organizations, such as Apparel Impact, a textile recycling organization and Mano en mano, which helps clothe immigrants and seasonal workers.

Donations can be taken inside during the store’s operating hours. If you wish to donate during off-hours, there is a drop-off on the first floor of the building.

Similar to community donations, the workers keeping the thrift store running are also doing so of their own goodwill. Sonnenberg is the only paid staff member, with everyone else being volunteers.

“Most of our volunteers are retired,” noted Sonnenberg, “without them, we wouldn’t operate.”

Anyone who wishes to volunteer can visit the shop and see Sonnenberg.

The thrift store is proud to be community-oriented. The Orono Health Association funds the store, which has been operating since 1969. The Association also funds three scholarships for the Orono High School, specifically for students going into medical fields.

“It’s based on what the community needs,” said Sonnenberg.

The Orono Thrift Store is dedicated to helping the community around it, making it a great place for anyone who wants to give back or support Orono. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s an interesting place to wander around in.

On Friday night at 8:00 p.m., the CCA hosted their second annual indie music festival with headliner Sammy Rae and the Friends, and the local band Midnight Breakfast opened the concert. 

When the Collins Center for the Arts doors opened at 7:15 p.m., the already long line of people began shoving their way into the theater and claiming spots up against the stage. With another 45 minutes until the show, the crowd was the only thing ready to go, as evidenced by the fact the stage’s projector was showing a game of Mario Kart being played backstage. 

By the time 8:00 p.m. rolled around, the pit took up the first four rows of seating, and many more people were scattered around the room. Jackets had been abandoned over the backs of seats as the crowd chattered over the Simon and Garfunkel song, filling time before the show started. Browns, reds, flannels, denim jackets and every floral print you could imagine made up the room. The mood was eager and eclectic and filled with hugging and excited cries every time a friend was spotted across the room.

Sam Sworts and Jordan Farnsworth were among those lining the stage, both excited to be seeing Rae live for the second time.

“We thought we were going to have to come early,” said Famsworth.

Sammy Rae and the Friends has been releasing music since 2018 and has released two EPs. They are currently in the process of creating their first studio album, and despite being an indie band, they had no shortage of fans. 

“I’ve been listening to them for a couple of years,” said graduate student Thomas Grindle. “I’ve been looking forward to this for months, and I’m sure they’ll live up to the hype.”

Rae’s performance was lively and constantly entertaining for the crowd. Between bits of synchronized choreography with the band, call-and-responses with the crowd, and playing hype-man during her bandmate’s solos, there was no shortage of energy during the nearly hour-and-a-half set.

Of the songs played, there were fan favorites and unreleased tracks alike. Farnsworth and Sworts’ favorite song, “Denim Jacket,” and Grindle’s favorite, “Jackie Onassis,” were both on the setlist. There was also “Luck of the Draw” and “The State Song,” both of which Rae confirmed would be on the upcoming album. For the second-to-final song, there was a crowd-pleasing cover of Abba’s “Lay All Your Love on Me.”

“State Song” was the final song of the night and catered to the crowd. Rae described her love for the East Coast and Maine at the beginning of the song.

Rae was more than willing to engage with the crowd, much to their delight. Even being gifted a custom-bedazzled denim jacket with a picture of her on it. She wasn’t the only one receiving gifts, though.

“She held my hand, and she gave me her setlist,” exclaimed Katie Beal after the show, excitedly waving the paper around for her friends.

While Rae and Friends were the main attraction, Midnight Breakfast had no shortage of love thrown their way. The soul-inspired band has a 2021 self-titled album as well as an EP released in 2023.

“I love Midnight Breakfast,” said student Sonia Berghoff, “I was out front the entire time.”

As the house lights faded, the crowd and their cheers rose. The opening rows chanted as the band took up their instruments. Being up on your feet and either cheering or dancing seemed to be the standard. 

“This isn’t really a sitting sort of concert,” Grindle said.

No matter which of the bands people had come for, everyone seemed to leave more than satisfied.

“I love that they opened for Sammy Rae. They’re very similar in style and I see a lot of inspiration from Sammy Rae,” said Berghoff.

Before the show began, the CCA made sure to thank WMEB, the campus’ student-run radio station, as well as the student government for their ability to make the show possible. Special thanks were also given to Jennifer Shevlin-Fernandes, the lead singer of Midnight Breakfast and a staff member at the CCA.

Aries (March 21 to April 20)

Make the most of the time you have. Try to do everything you want to do instead of spending your time thinking about what you’d like to do eventually. 

Taurus (April 21 to May 20)

Hold true to yourself and your beliefs.  It can be hard to know what’s happening in other people’s heads or how they’ll react, so just do your best to be unapologetically you. 

Gemini (May 21 to June 22)

While you may tend to compromise, you could also benefit from learning to be more assertive with others. Talking things out is important, but if the matter is black and white, don’t back down just to appease everyone. 

Cancer (June 23 to July 21)

If you have a plan, hold fast to it. Make your ideas known and stand your ground on them. There may be roadblocks, but that doesn’t mean you need to change course. It will take a little longer.

Leo (July 22 to Aug. 23)

Your ego may get the better of you. Just because something stings or goes against your beliefs doesn’t mean it should be discredited. Try not to be too stubborn with others.

Virgo (Aug. 24 to Sept. 23)

Think about different ways to go about problems. Taking a different approach or discussing something may yield better solutions than you’d initially believe. While you may be able to do a lot yourself, don’t get stuck in the box of your mind.

Libra (Sept. 24 to Oct. 23)

Be the one to say things first and take control of situations. While you may prefer to step back and let others handle things, this may not lead to the best outcome. Put yourself in a place where you can share ideas and offer aid.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 to Nov. 22)

You may find yourself shutting down around others over small things. Slight differences and disagreements only become big if you make them. Stay open-minded, and don’t read too much into the small things.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 to Dec. 21)

Adaptability can turn into flightiness if you can’t settle on a path to take. Changes in emotions, problems in your path or new information may cause you to change course. Don’t get so caught up in accounting for every detail that you lose sight of the big picture.

Capricorn (Dec. 21 to Jan. 20)

You may find yourself caught between extremes. Mood swings and dips in motivation may come your way. Take every step in stride and try to go with the flow of the moment. Believe in yourself in the long run.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 to Feb. 19)

Self-improvement and reflection may be necessary, even if difficult. While it’s hard to admit when you’re wrong, don’t be so stubborn, as it can limit personal growth. Think about where you are and if there’s anything you need to change about yourself.

Pisces (Feb. 20 to March 20)

You may be called to do something you have trouble with and have your emotions conflict with what has to happen. Try to find a balance between your internal state and what you have to do externally, especially if others are counting on you.

Aries (March 21 to April 20)

The best way to get your work done is to dive right into it. So long as you know what you need to do, you will do well where you place your energy. Tackle assignments head-on, and don’t wait until the last second.

Taurus (April 21 to May 20)

You may have a hard time starting new projects or changing old habits. Set aside designated times for study. Try to blend your work with play and get into an established routine.  Reward yourself for getting things done.

Gemini (May 21 to June 22)

Working may be easiest for you when done with friends; If you are having a problem, try talking it out with someone you trust. Don’t be afraid to be engaged in class!

Cancer (June 23 to July 21)

While you may have an easy time starting things, following through is a different story. Once you’ve lost interest, it can be difficult to keep going. Find out what will help keep you engaged with your work —whether it be working in short bursts or using various learning tools. Sometimes, you have to just power through the boring work. You will succeed if you apply yourself to the end.

Leo (July 22 to Aug. 23)

While you may have the drive to get your work done, you get fixated on doing things a particular way. When you want to do something, waiting for the right conditions isn’t productive. Knowing it’s okay to adjust and willing to do so will help a great deal. Also, know when you can do things how you like.

Virgo (Aug. 24 to Sept. 23)

You tend to take on a lot. Even when you can balance all your work, it can still be overwhelming to handle. Keep a list of what needs to be done and prioritized. Make sure you also give yourself breaks; don’t burn yourself out.

Libra (Sept. 24 to Oct. 23)

You may be better with planning than with the actual completion of work. Outlining an essay is easier than actually writing it. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing —if you plan your workout, it can lessen your stress later. However, remember you still need to get things done. See if there are people who you can work with or ways to bring creativity to studying.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 to Nov. 22)

You may feel stagnant doing things that aren’t of interest to you. Work for a class you like might get done immediately, while studying for a boring class is put off. Find ways to spark interest in your boredom. Reward yourself with a sweet treat or listen to music while you work so you feel more enjoyment.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 to Dec. 21)

Your main qualm with studying might be keeping focused. With so much going on, it can be hard to stay focused on one thing. Remove distractions during study and work times. Think about one class at a time so they don’t all weigh you down.

Capricorn (Dec. 21 to Jan. 20)

You may have a hard time doing things you don’t see as worthwhile. Busy work might be your downfall. While some classes don’t feel as important to your area of study, you still need to get it done. Try getting this out of the way first. Then, you’re free to dedicate time to the important things.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 to Feb. 19)

You probably do your best as the leader of a group project. While you do well with others, you like things to be done to your specifications. Be sure to know your limits and delegate tasks when needed. In non-social settings, work may be best done with others around. Study together with a group, even if you aren’t all working on the same thing. Hold each other accountable.

Pisces (Feb. 20 to March 20)

Your interest may flit around throughout the day. You may love a class one moment and be bored by it the next day. While it may seem good to do work as your interests align, don’t rely on this. Know what needs to be done, find a place you feel comfortable, and try to set the mood to get assignments done.