As the Fall term comes to an end it is important to remember that amidst the chaos of final exams, holiday preparations, and New Year’s resolutions, we need to take a step back and actively set aside some time for self-care.
At the beginning of the academic year, I overestimated myself and took on more responsibilities than I could realistically handle. By midterms, I was mentally drained and on the verge of burning out. As a result, I resigned from several positions and decided to reassess my goals and priorities – I asked myself, “What am I hoping to contribute and gain from my extracurricular involvement?” And, “Which positions are helping me work towards my long-term goals, and which ones are simply taking up space in my schedule?” Answering these questions allowed me to understand that I was not a ‘failure’ for struggling, and it gave me the courage to eliminate everything that did not serve me well. The outcome was having more time for myself to focus on my personal well-being.
Since my initial decision to clear my schedule, I have had more time to work towards self-awareness and re-evaluating my priorities. I believe that taking time for self-care is crucial because as students, we often become preoccupied with our fear of failure and consequently, we overextend ourselves. We stress about our grades and graduate school, we stress about our volunteer experience and applying to internships, and in the process, we lose sight of ourselves and who we are as people. We become so enamoured by our future-oriented thinking that we forget to stop, breathe, and reflect. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, take this as your reminder to put aside at least five minutes a day for self-care.
The beauty of self-care is that it is versatile: what works for one person may not work for another and that is completely okay! The important thing is to find your source of stress relief and actively implement it into your daily routine. So, when things get extra busy this month, make sure to take a step back and clear your head: read a self-help book, get your nails done, play a video game, or take a nice, warm bubble bath – your mind and body will thank you for it, and you will find it much easier to focus on completing your tasks.
On that note, I wish you good luck on your finals and make sure to check back in January for some fresh articles. Until then, happy studying!