School is back in session and if any of you are like me, the first few days were so overwhelming I already thought about dropping out at least 12 times. But I’m a woman and we don’t give up so easily! We are here for a reason and I am determined to never quit so easily!
Let’s face it, we are already counting down the days until summer. Winter break was far too short, and summer seems way too far away with the downpour of snow and ice. Just think, only about 15 more weeks to go! That’s 5 sets of 3 weeks! Let’s take it a set of 3 weeks at a time. That seems more reasonable…right?
It can be tough facing the fact that you have so many weeks left, your classes are going to pile on the homework as if the professors believe their class is the only class you’re taking, and the fact that you still aren’t awake from the daze of the holiday craziness. It seems like there was no break at all.
I can help with all of this! I am going through it too, so I figured writing out some gentle reminders for all of you beautiful strong women out there might also help me to wake back up and take on this semester at full speed!
1. It may seem like a lot based off what the syllabus says, but after the first few weeks, you will notice you do not have to do every little thing on that syllabus
2. The professors will tell you that you need to read every chapter for that class, even if they assign 4 chapters a week, but really you just need to be good at skimming.
3. Take every Sunday to recover. Yes, Sundays are usually recovery days from staying up too late and out all night with some great friends making the best memories but, get your sleep schedule back on track for the week starting Sunday so that Monday won’t give you the blues.
4. Sundays are homework days. The best thing you can do for yourself is get ahead. Even if it is only a week ahead. Wake up early on Sunday, do not hit that snooze, and hit the books. If you get everything out of the way for the week, you can go to bed at a reasonable time on Sunday evening, which will settle that sleep schedule and leave you well rested. Then, spend the week calmly doing assignments and binge watching tv shows instead of stressing that small assignments are being added on to your piles of homework that you could have done on Sunday.
5. The professors say they want you to succeed, but sometimes it doesn’t feel that way. It feels like they want to watch you fail. Prove them wrong! Keep getting ahead in class, participating, and showing them that you are just as smart as they are.
6. Take time for yourself. You can’t jump into everything right away and expect it all to fall into place. You have to ease into it. If not, you might explode! Make sure you block out at least 1 hour of your day to do anything that makes you less stressed. Even if that means a nap…. just don’t hit that snooze button after your hour is up!
7. Remember that you got this! You have friends and family that will help you along the way. Stay calm and know that every little thing is going to be alright!