As second semester begins to wind down, it can be easy to slack on your responsibilities as the thoughts of summer, sunshine, and the beach begin to occupy your mind. As exciting and relaxing as summer is, we still have a few more weeks to push through here in Lewisburg. To avoid burning out before the conclusion of the school year, follow these simple steps to help you stay motivated, focused, and ready to work:
Stay organized. If you don’t already have a planner, invest in one. At the start of each week, write out the assignments you have and the due date. This will help you see when your work needs to be done, aiding in your time management. With finals coming up, this is an important step to take in order to avoid drowning in a pool of exams and papers. Plus, if you manage your time well enough and plan ahead, you may have the freedom to pencil in more fun things to do, like hanging with your friends, which will also help alleviate some stress.
Learn to say no with confidence. At this age, it can seem like we owe everything to everyone. However, it is important to remember that the only person you really owe anything to is YOU. Respect yourself and the precious time you have by not committing to every opportunity that arises. This will free your schedule and allow you to do what’s really important to you.
Turn off social media. Social media is a huge source of distraction from the here and now. By taking a break from your phone, you are more likely to focus on the present, which will help you check things off your to-do list more efficiently.
Plan fun things to do when you have some down time. Instead of wasting the day away watching Netflix in your room, take advantage of the warmer weather and plan something to do with your friends. Go to the Lewisburg Freez, walk downtown or sit outside of the Market Street bookstore with a glass of lemonade and a good book. Being outside and exposing yourself to the sunshine replenishes your body with vitamin D, which naturally release serotonin, the feel-good hormone in your brain. This will prove to be much more beneficial than staying cooped up in your dorm room.
Treat yourself with kindness. Sometimes there will be days less easy to manage, leaving you feeling stuck in a rut of stress. When this happens, it can be tempting to turn to take your worries and “release them” with the help of alcohol, sugar, and of course, Netflix. But, despite how good this may feel in the moment, it will only add to your burnout, making you feel worse in the long run. Instead, take deep breaths and try to remind yourself that you are only human. When you feel like your worst, most stressful day has arrived, remember to take care of yourself, no matter how the outside world is treating you. Take a hot shower and exfoliate with a sweet smelling body scrub. Sleep it off with a nap. Eat fruits and vegetables. Play your favorite song on repeat and take a walk around campus. Even taking just five minutes to ground yourself in the chaos of these last few weeks will prove to be beneficial for your health.