Every winter, as the temperature drops and the sun sets ridiculously early, a wave of confidence sweeps through campus. Students who haven’t lifted anything heavier than their history textbook since September suddenly develop a vision: A Winter Arc.
The Winter Arc is a sacred promise made to oneself and immediately broken in private. It typically begins with a loud proclamation to friends: “I’m getting huge this winter.” No follow-up details are provided, no timeline is established, and no gym membership is activated. But the belief is unshakable. Kate Osakwe (Class II) said, “The fall is the silly, goofy, dilly-dallying [season], but in the winter, with snow and sadness, you’ve got to be on your Winter Arc.”
The Winter Arc is a full-time job: watching gym TikToks at full volume in the library, saving hyper-specific workout routines that will never be opened again, and spending hours getting in the right headspace. This headspace can only be accessed under ideal conditions, usually sometime after February. Aidan Su (Class III) said, “I’ve been sitting around, preparing myself mentally for the day I bench 225.” This process can take weeks, but usually the whole winter.
The endeavor is deeply internal and incredibly fragile. Staying locked in to be ready for spring break and prom requires commitment and complete dedication, no matter the recognition. Osakwe said, “Someone told me that what you do when people don’t see you shows who you are, so the Winter Arc has to be quiet, it has to be chill.”
Winter Arc logic operates on its own unique set of rules. Rest days can last up to two weeks if you really need them. Thinking about going to the gym counts as progress. Watching someone else lift weights online is basically the same as lifting them yourself. The Winter Arc enthusiasts are always one minor inconvenience away from achieving greatness. They were going to the gym, but it was too busy. They were going to start today, but their AirPods weren’t charged. They were going to go later, but it was cold, and walking outside in the winter is already a workout if you really think about it. Tomorrow is always the answer.
Some students completely misunderstand the essence of the Winter Arc. Sienna Zhao (Class II) said, “I’m always at the gym. Never a rest day.” However, true Winter Arc enthusiasts understand the proper protocol when they encounter obstacles. Emmett Chen (Class II) has experienced these challenges firsthand. He said, “I’ve been trying to go to the gym. The door is just too narrow.” These are the kind of obstacles that no motivational quote can fix.
By mid-January, things get quiet. Most people are lucky to make it even two days without giving up their New Year’s resolution to become a new person. But slowly, the gym bag goes missing, the protein powder hardens into concrete, and the “before” photos sit alone in the camera roll, never meeting their counterpart.
Still, the Winter Arc-ers remain confident. They know spring is coming, but they can lock in later. They believe muscles operate solely on preparation and intent. Su doubled down on his philosophy. “The gym is overrated for building strength. I’ve been just getting into the right headspace,” he said.
Even though the follow-through is questionable, these students deserve some credit. Every winter, while the rest set the resolution bar low, the Winter Arc believer dares to dream. They may not get huge or bench 225, but they fail with ambition.
