Midterm grades are posted and it’s time to enroll for a new semester. The semester isn’t over yet, but we’re more than halfway there. It will be Winter Break before you know it.
It’s a busy time of year. There are many moments where sadness, stress, anxiety, and exhaustion seem to consume our lives. We often neglect our health when we are overwhelmed by our social lives, quizzes and homework. We need a reminder of what’s important when college gets the best of us.
There are many things you can do to get yourself out of a rut. Here are some ideas:
Relax
We often neglect relaxation when we are caught up in a hectic college schedule. Take time to do something relaxing like taking a nap, going on a walk or reading a book. Separate yourself from the never-ending flurry of campus and give your mind a break.
Reward yourself
Give yourself rewards for getting through the week. Going to eat at your favorite restaurant instead of the caf can drastically improve your mood. As “Tom Haverford” from Parks and Recreation always says, “treat yo self.”
Communicate
Don’t neglect communication with your family and friends. Although you might feel like burrowing yourself in your room, friends and family can help to alleviate your problems. Whether it is your mom, dad, brother, grandma, or a friend from back home, talk to someone. They will give you the push you need to keep going and encourage you when you feel like quitting.
Exercise
Schedule time to hit the gym. Time spent exercising is not a waste. The burst of endorphins you receive from exercise will improve your mood and make you feel better and more productive throughout the day.
Reflect
The most important thing is to remember why you are here. College isn’t here to make you miserable or drown you with a heavy courseload. Professors are not here to make you fail, but to help you succeed. We are here to have new experiences, meet new people, get a solid education, and have fun along the way.
I hope we can look back later and laugh about how little the stress we feel now mattered. Until then, remember that the slump is only temporary.
We all need to try to enjoy college while we can.
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