It’s November and suddenly more than two months have passed since the first day of your freshman year. From all-nighters to countless amounts of discussion board assignments, the class of 2024 has finally overcome two months of stressful nights. You have gone a long way, but a grueling college tradition is soon approaching: midterm season.
As midterms are right around the corner, you are probably doubling the number of sleepless nights and spending your days eating, sleeping, and breathing study sessions. To complete the midterm set with a cherry on top, you are most likely facing a series of back pain, resulting in the formation of the letter “u.” As a fellow college student, I can relate, which is why I want to provide you with some reminders that can help relieve your tension—and your back, of course.
- Always put your health first
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Taking breaks is just as crucial as studying! I agree grades are important, but continuously placing your head in schoolwork will only lead you to reach an all-time low. You have worked hard, and you deserve a break. Do not overburden yourself with school, and give your body some time to relax. Go out—while following social distancing rules—and get a breath of fresh air. Spend some time with your family and update them on your life. Maybe, give your friends a call and talk about topics unrelated to school. The list is endless, and it is up to you to decide.
Remember to take care of yourself by becoming more aware of your mental and physical health. Try to maintain a healthy lifestyle through activities such as reading or exercising because taking a guilty-free break can reset your mood. Similarly, do not forget to maintain a consistent sleep schedule as well! Keep in mind that the proper number of sleep hours may not be the same for everyone, meaning that the ideal eight hours of sleep may not be enough for you. Each person is different, so learn which type of sleep schedule fits you best.
- It is okay to accept that you are not okay
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It is understandable to feel estranged from your campus, say that you are not feeling your best, and feel like days are flying by in the blink of an eye. There can be dreadful days when you feel like you are on the verge of tears, and no matter how much sleep you get, you still feel tired. You are not alone when you are troubled and frustrated or feel incredibly homesick. No matter the cause of your low-spirited emotions, do not be afraid to reach out for help. The harsh reality is that others cannot see what you are going through unless you take the initiative and seek advice from counseling mentors, friends, family, etc. If you have no one to go to, please refer to this site. Once again, if you are struggling, you are recommended to actively find someone you can talk to because your battle is not a single-player match.
- Take a break from social media.
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Yes. Let me repeat: take a social media detox. Learn to go about your days without the desire to click on apps such as Twitter by setting a limit or muting its notifications.
There is no doubt that social media is a great resource for various opportunities, such as connecting with others. However, when you begin to delete the social apps, you will notice the freedom you did not have with the apps. The feeling of not browsing through social media in the wee hours of the morning, before bedtime, and during random hours of the day is unexplainable. Shockingly, you will realize how much time you spend on these apps, and your attention span, productivity, and clarity of thought will increase. Weight may seem to lift off of your shoulders because, for once, Instagram is not on your mind. Because social media is known to satisfy some of the emotions we crave, you may gradually lose the urge to be accepted and the curiosity of how others view you. And as someone who is on an Instagram detox, I can verify.
- High school friendships can grow apart
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Have you heard of the saying that some high school friends should stay as “high school friends?” Well, this is self-explanatory, but when we experience it ourselves, we may feel a rollercoaster of emotions ranging from anger to sadness. When you do part ways with your high school friends, keep in mind that it does not necessarily mean that you are a terrible friend. Do not be too clingy or try to rebuild your friendship when the other person wants to distance themself. Life is constantly moving, and we are all maturing with it. It is normal to change, so do not rely on your high school friends too much because you are hesitant to meet new people. Do not let previous friendships limit your growth because you have a plethora of opportunities to meet new people through self-exploration.
- Do not compare yourself to others
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Probably the simplest tip but the most difficult of them all because this is easier said than done. As we are only a small part of the population, we will experience times when we are focused on comparing ourselves to others. The act of comparing is inevitable, but you need to learn how to compare yourself healthily because your only competition is yourself. Instead of continually dwelling over others’ accomplishments and continuously feeling burdened, you can look at their strengths as inspiration. Each person has their strengths and weaknesses, so do not just focus on your negatives! To grow, try your best to view competition as an opportunity to gain insight on how to improve and positively acknowledge your progress. When you are overcoming the tough habit, take note that everyone’s pace is different. Whether you achieve your goals faster or slower than other people, remember to go at your own pace, and struggling along the way is acceptable!
- Find your own study technique
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Introducing the new aesthetic: beautifully typed and digitally handwritten notes. Unless you have been living under a rock, you have most likely seen the new note-taking trend revolving around digital devices and 0.35mm pens. However, the rising popularity of specific note-taking supplies and techniques may not be suitable for everyone. Instead of hopping on the bandwagon, know what makes you learn best first. In other words, do not do something just because others are doing it. Study smarter by testing out different note-taking strategies because sometimes, sticking to hand-written notes on a good ol’ sheet of paper may be more effective than writing on a $1000 tablet. Learn to deepen your understanding by applying your knowledge in a way you can remember!
Your study environment and habits play important roles as well. Some people prefer listening to music while studying, whereas others would instead learn in silence. Similarly, some students cannot study for long hours, so they adapt to a Pomodoro technique. As a student, it is your responsibility to find a productive habit and learn effectively! If you need help maximizing your studying potential, ask yourself these questions: Does switching a study environment increase my concentration? Do I understand better with short breaks in between each study session? Do I focus longer when I listen to music in the background or watch study with me videos? When I listen to music, can I concentrate on my tasks? Does handwriting notes help to increase my memorization?
- Plan ahead on everything (yes, every little thing.)
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When you miss an exam worth more than half of your grade, it is one of the worst nightmares for any student. Before it is too late, and this unfortunate event happens to you, learn to manage your time with a digital calendar (Google Calendar, to-do list apps, Notion, etc.) or a physical schedule. When you can visually see your tasks and major events, you will most likely feel at ease because your agenda is already in front of you. By planning, you will learn to efficiently use your time and create a personalized schedule that makes the overwhelming days less daunting. As someone who cannot go a day without Google Calendar, I admit that the first few weeks will feel like a waste of time because planning requires you to think and reflect. However, this eventually pays off because you will gradually notice that you have everything set while others are overwhelmed. At that point, you might as well be a planning professional—with strong organizational skills.
- It is never too late to join clubs and organizations
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The number of clubs that your college offers can be overwhelming. Unlike high school, college has hundreds to thousands of organizations that students can join. With so many opportunities to find your niche, everything seems like sunshine and rainbows until you are stuck on which clubs to join because there is only 1 of you. You may then think: what will happen if I do not partake in any student organization in the first semester of my freshman year? Will I be excluded if I join in future semesters?
Fortunately, this is not the case because, in most cases, clubs do not limit specific grade levels. Just like how majors—and minors—can change throughout your college career, your choice of clubs is not expected to stay the same. College is a time when you discover and find what intrigues you. As you mature, losing interest in a club is utterly normal, so feel free to join other clubs that are more suitable for you! And, when the timing is right, do not be hesitant because there are plenty of other new members just like you.
- Everyone is in the same boat
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Whether the boat contains happiness or loneliness, we have all been in the same or similar situations. For most first-year students, college is a challenging new experience. It is essential to understand that you are not alone, whether you are failing to find your place, earn high grades, or connect with your campus. Understandably, your college’s course load and environment are completely different because, as an adult, you are expected to be independent without things set out for you. However, keep in mind that when you are frustrated, reach out. When you see someone else struggling, give them a hand (not literally) because we are all in this together!
- Things will work out
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Your challenges will pass. Even when things are not going the way you like, persevere through and envision your struggles as a barrier that you can destroy into little pieces. Although you may not see the light ahead of you right now, stay hopeful and go by each day one step at a time. As you move forward, try to learn from the challenges because personal growth through struggle and grief is just as vital as triumph and joy. Keep moving on and pass through your challenges. You will be okay through it all, and you will reach what you deserve: happiness and success.
I hope that these tips positively helped you! Right off the bat, applying these reminders into your life will be difficult, but it will be worth it in the end. When you face a burn-out, do not forget to take a deep breath and let out all of your struggles. From a freshman, I wish you the best with your future endeavors and your exams coming forward. You are strong. You got this!