It’s that time of the season again: the semester is practically halfway through, and you might be feeling a little down in the dumps. An 8:00am psychology class that seemed a great idea at the beginning of the semester isn’t that appealing anymore. You feel tired all the time as a result of irregular sleep. Your boss is driving you insane. Between club meetings, sports practice, study groups and your relationship you feel like you begin to lose yourself a little. You can’t muster up the energy to pay attention properly in class and you feel like procrastination is your new best friend. You’d rather stay in bed and watch Netflix all day than get outside and do something productive. So what’s going on here?
If you can relate to any of these situations, then you my friend are suffering the mid-semester slump. You know what I’m talking about: that point during the academic year where the excitement of starting a new academic year has died down, there are no breaks until Thanksgiving (which feels like an eternity from now) and you start to feel a little restless or unmotivated. The lightness and motivation of the beginning of the semester tends to decrease as the weeks go by, and your routine begins to feel lackluster and dull. The mid-semester slump is a phenomenon that recognizable happens every year to most college students. Thankfully, this isn’t an entirely negative situation. Use this as a wake-up call to get out of your rut! So, after a little bit of digging, I found out the most helpful ways you can tackle the blues and find that inspiration again.
How to beat the Mid-Semester Slump
Get back on track
Don’t have an agenda? Now is a pretty good time get one! It might sound silly, but writing down your tasks is actually a great way to commit to what you have to get done. Making time for studying, meetings, going to the gym can get very, very stressful. It’s easier to invest 15 minutes in your daily planner to organize your day. You won’t forget as many things and you will learn to work under a tight schedule. It is possible.
Eat well
While there is no exact diet that will make you happier, a meal plan including fresh fruit, vegetables, good carbs and protein can contribute to a better you.Eating healthy can lower the risk of developing diseases such as cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes. Eat protein-high foods, such as turkey or tuna to boost alertness. Switch that Snickers bar for a yogurt parfait. Your brain will thank you and your butt will thank you.
Be a goal digger
Is there something you’ve been meaning to get around to but haven’t done yet? Whether it’s signing up for a ballet class, learning how to paint or planning a trip, it’s much more exciting to work towards something you want, rather than something you know you have to do. Develop a project to work for during the semester – something that will make you happy, even if it’s the smallest thing – to increase your motivation to get it done. Break it down into small steps to make it easier to manage.
Develop perseverance
This is key. College is not a walk in the park, and things will not always turn out the way you planned them to. Life happens. As Winston Churchill famously said, “When going through hell, keep going.”
Soak up that Vitamin D
The sunshine vitamin, or vitamin D, is produced in response to sunlight on your skin. 10 minutes of sun a day can make all the difference. We are no strangers to sun – after all, we do live in a tropical paradise! Vitamin D can boost up your bones and improve your immune system. I’m not saying burn yourself to a crisp, but some good ol’ sunshine and fresh air can boost your mood significantly.
A happier you is a more productive you. Admittedly, getting over the mid-semester slump is easier said than done. It can have a strong pull over your mood and have a deep impact in your daily routine. You can work through this difficult time if you find it in yourself to do so. Like I said, getting out of a rut is not the simplest thing to overcome. Find a new study spot, or spend more time with your family. Watch a silly movie. Be kind to a stranger. Sometimes, even a small change in perspective can go a very long way. Do what you must, but above all, don’t fret – the key is in following the above tips and overall, aiming for you. Just remember: the holidays are right around the corner.
References:
http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/diet-recovery
http://drugandalcoholdependence.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/college-stress.jpg?w=529&h=2296
http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/motivation
photos from:
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