Anyone who knows me knows how much I love college. If someone even mentions my impending graduation in a little over a year, the chances of me crying are pretty high. That being said, college isn’t perfect and my experience has definitely had its ups and downs.
During winter quarter especially, Santa Clara becomes a little less sunny, a little more rainy, and a lot of work. Maybe I’m crazy but does anyone else feel like we have six times the amount of work during winter quarter compared to fall and spring?
If you, like me, often find yourself down during these “winter” months, here are some tips to get you out of your funk and back on track.
1. Go outside.
You’re probably thinking, OK, Olivia, this doesn’t really seem like it will do a whole lot, but trust me, it makes a difference. Just stepping outside of your dorm or house and looking at what’s surrounding you can put things back into perspective. For me, I like to walk around or just sit on a bench in a pretty part of campus.
These times remind me how big the world is and how much is out there for me to explore. Try to think about something other than the present moment you are in, like all of the amazing things you have yet to see and all of the experiences that are out there waiting for you.
2. Exercise
Now, exercise and I do not always get along, but in some circumstances it can completely change your mood. We all know that working out has actual physical and mental health benefits, but it is so easy to forget that when all you want to do is lie in your bed and watch Friends.
When I’m having a rough day I like to go on runs. I never know where I’m going in Santa Clara, so I have to think about where I’m going in order to avoid getting lost, which gets my mind off of whatever else was bringing me down.
3. Call Home
If my parents read this article, they will 100 percent laugh at me because they know how much I hate talking on the phone. But, when I’m having a really hard day, sometimes the best thing is to call my parents because they’re always so freaking excited that I’m actually using the cellular device they pay for to contact them.
If you’re not up for calling your parents, call a sibling or a friend from home. These are the people who know you better than anyone else in the world, and they’re normally pretty good at getting you to feel like yourself again.
4. Binge Watch
For those of you who don’t feel like wandering into the great outdoors that is Santa Clara, I feel you. Instead, grab your laptop, your charger (this will be needed for copious hours of Netflix watching), your comfiest pillow, and do not move. Preferably for several hours.
Sometimes what you really need is to just sit in your room and let yourself be transported to a different world. For me I’ll go back to my staple shows: Gilmore Girls, The O.C., or anything that has been on the CW. Instead of thinking about whatever’s got you down, think about how stupid it is that Elena is dating a vampire on The Vampire Diaries, or how unrealistic Rachel and Monica’s apartment is on Friends.
5. Give Yourself a Break
Personally, I am very hard on myself. I get mad at myself when I’m upset, which is very counterproductive. Something I always try to remind myself that it’s OK to have a bad day. It’s OK to miss home. It’s OK to feel lost for a moment there; I know I have. Try to remember the great things you’ve got going, whether it be a relationship, friends, school, activities, or just a really good episode of the Bachelor on TV tonight. Know that you are not alone, and that there are millions of other people out there that are also having a sucky day.
So go outside, go for a run, call your parents, or queue up Netflix and remember that tomorrow will be better.